Lok Sabha Question No. 5895 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-10
Subject: Procurement Policy for Forest Products
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: RAM KUMAR SHARMA KUSHWAHA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS)

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †5895

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.04.2017

## PROCUREMENT POLICY FOR FOREST PRODUCTS

†5895. SHRI RAM KUMAR SHARMA Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-

- (a)     whether the Government has recently made an announcement to amend the procurement policy for the procurement of forest products on support price;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has amended/made changes in the guidelines as per the said announcement; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI JASWANTSINH BHABHOR)

(a)&(b): Yes, Madam. Ministry of Tribal Affairs introduced a Scheme 'Mechanism for marketing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) through Minimum Support Price (MSP) and Development of Value Chain for MFP' during the year 2013-14, to provide much needed safety net and support to people belonging to Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers whose very livelihood depends on collection and selling of MFP. To start with, the  scheme  had  been  implemented  in  States  having  areas  under  Schedule  V  of  the Constitution and covered ten MFP items. Recently, however, the coverage of area of the said Scheme has been extended beyond Schedule V States and now scheme is applicable in all States. The number of MFP items has also been increased to twenty four.

(c)&(d): The guidelines of the scheme 'Mechanism for Marketing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) through Minimum Support Price (MSP) and Development of Value Chain for MFP' has been modified with effect from 31.10.2016 after discussion with various stakeholders and  Tribal  Cooperative  Marketing  Development  Federation  of  India  Ltd.  (TRIFED)  and MSP of some of the existing MFP items have been revised. Also, fourteen more MFP items along with their MSP have been added to the list as per details Annexed.

## Statement referred to in reply to Parts (c) & (d) of LSUSQ No. 5895 for 10.04.2017 regarding "Procurement Policy for Forest Products'

## (i) Modifications in Minimum Support Price in respect of some of the MFP items which are being procured since inception of the scheme.

|   S.No | Minor Forest Produce      | Existing (MSP) (Rate in Rs per KG.)   | Revised MSP(Rates in Rs. per kg.)   |
|--------|---------------------------|---------------------------------------|-------------------------------------|
|      1 | Tamarind (With seed)      | 22/-                                  | 18/-                                |
|      2 | Honey                     | 132/-                                 | 150/-                               |
|      3 | Gum Karaya                | 108/-                                 | 108/-                               |
|      4 | Karanj Seed               | 21/-                                  | 18/-                                |
|      5 | Sal Seed                  | 10/-                                  | 10/-.                               |
|      6 | Mahuwa Seed               | 22/-                                  | 20/-                                |
|      7 | Sal Leaves                | 21/-                                  | 21/-                                |
|      8 | Chironjee Pods with seeds | 100/-                                 | 60/-                                |
|      9 | Myrobalan                 | 11/-                                  | 8/-                                 |
|     10 | A. Ragini Lac             | 230/-                                 | 100/-                               |
|     10 | B.Kusumi Lac              | 320/-                                 | 150/-                               |

## (ii) List of the Fourteen new MFP items along with their MSP:

|   S.No | Minor Forest Produce        | Rate in Rs. per Kg   |
|--------|-----------------------------|----------------------|
|      1 | Kusum Seed                  | 10/-                 |
|      2 | Neem Seed                   | 12/-                 |
|      3 | Puwad Seed/Chakramard       | 8/-                  |
|      4 | Baheda                      | 15/-                 |
|      5 | Hill Broom Grass            | 10/-                 |
|      6 | Shikakai                    | 30/-                 |
|      7 | Guggul(exduate)             | 700/-                |
|      8 | Bael (dried &without crust) | 15/-                 |
|      9 | Nagarmotha                  | 25/-                 |
|      0 | Palash/Keshu Flower         | 8/-                  |
|     11 | Shatavari(dried)            | 40/-                 |
|     12 | Madhunashini                | 35/-                 |
|     13 | Kalmegh                     | 15/-                 |
|     14 | Tamarind (de-seeded)        | 40/-                 |