News Paper - The Financial Express                                       Saturday Dec'3 2005

    Govt to set up 3,471 grain banks: The Government is proposing to set up 3,471 grain banks in the country during 2005-06, the House was informed. In a written reply, ministry of state for consumer affairs Akhilesh Prasad Singh said the estimated cost of setting up of each grain banks is Rs 60,000, including Rs 1,800 to be borne by the state government as 50% share of transpotation cost.

    To another question, the minister said the stock of wheat stood at 90.52 lakh tonne and rice at 103.38 lakh tonne as on November 1,2005 . He said the stock was sufficient to meet the requirments of the targetted public distribution system and other welfare schemes till the arrival of the next rabi crop.