Steno General Dictation No. 393

We had a target of 13 million tonnes. I think we hope to get more than 15 million tonnes. Another important fact is that the off-take from the cheap grain shops has been reduced and therefore, the Government's responsibility to supply this cheap grain is also less. That will leave some surplus with us. In 1975 we supplemented our buffer stock by importing about 7 million tonnes. In the background of this, I would like the hon. Minister to tell us as to why it was necessary for us to go in for purchases of U.S. rice.