opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1848 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-07
Subject: Establishment of Cultural Centres
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: MAHEISH GIRRI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1848

TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.03.2018

## ESTABLISHMENT OF CULTURAL CENTRES

1848. SHRI MAHEISH GIRRI:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government intends to establish cultural centres across the globe to leverage India's cultural and creative strengths similar to the Alliance Francaise Centres (France), Goethe Institutes (Germany), Instituto Cervantes (Spain) and Confucius Institutes (China) and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has created any roadmap in this regard;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

- (a) To leverage India's cultural and creative strengths, the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, an autonomous body under the Ministry of External Affairs, has set up 37 cultural centres across the globe.  ICCR run cultural centres have their own unique characteristics.
- (b) & (c) ICCR's first culture centre was established in the year 1972. Since then it has established 37 centres in 35 countries. Centres in Sydney and   Hanoi   were   established   recently   in   the   year   2016   and   2017 respectively. During the recent visit of Prime Minister of India to Israel, announcement for the opening of Indian Cultural Centre in Israel was made. The centres are established with due diligence to ensure that our creative and cultural strengths are leveraged to the best results.
- (d) Not applicable. *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1842 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-07
Subject: Politicisation of Armed Forces
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: MANOJ RAJORIA, RAGHAV LAKHANPAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1842

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 7 TH  MARCH, 2018

## POLITICISATION OF ARMED FORCES

1842.  DR. MANOJ RAJORIA: SHRI RAGHAV LAKHANPAL:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE j{kk ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of any attempts for politicisation of the armed forces;
- (b) if so, the Government policy on the issue; and
- (c) the measures being taken to implement the policy?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF DEFENCE                                    (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

j{kk ea=h

¼Jherh  fueZyk lhrkje.k )

(a) to (c): Armed Forces in India are apolitical.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1841 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-07
Subject: Threat from China
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1841

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.03.2018

## THREAT FROM CHINA

- † 1841. SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether despite good relations, China, is posing any threat to the country in Arunachal Pradesh as per affidavit submitted by the Government in the Hon'ble Supreme Court; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

(a) & (b) China disputes the international boundary between India and China. In the Eastern Sector, China claims approximately 90,000 square kilometers of Indian territory in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. The fact that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India has been clearly conveyed to the Chinese side on several occasions, including at the highest level.

Government is fully seized of the security needs of the country and remains prepared to deal with and counter all kinds of security challenges including at our borders.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 157 (STARRED), answered on 2018-03-06
Subject: Sashastra Seema Bal
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: RAM CHARITRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *157

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 06 TH  MARCH, 2018 /PHALGUNA 15, 1939 (SAKA)

SASHASTRA SEEMA BAL

*157. SHRI RAM CHARITRA NISHAD:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government proposes to increase the strength of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and if so, the details thereof;

(b)  whether SSB is in the process of installing laser fences at certain points along  Nepal  and  Bhutan  borders  to  prevent  infiltration  of  terrorists  and smuggling and if so, the details thereof; and

(c) whether SSB is mandated to secure 699 km. Indo-Bhutan border 1758 km. long Indo-Nepal border and if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *157 FOR 06.03.2018 'SASHASTRA SEEMA BAL'

- (a):

(b) & (c): Sashastra  Seema  Bal  (SSB)  is  mandated  to  prevent  trans-border crimes, illegal cross border activities and unauthorized entry into or exits from the  territory  of  India  so  as  to  provide  a  sense  of  security  among  the  people living in the border areas. It  regularly carries out various operational activities like  patrolling,  laying  of  nakas  along  the  border  and  checking  of  persons crossing the border. It is also using state of the art electronic equipment/technology to secure the Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan borders.

No such proposal is under consideration as of now. ***********
Lok Sabha Question No. 156 (STARRED), answered on 2018-03-06
Subject: Income Limit for Availing Scholarship
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: RAMESH CHANDER KAUSHIK, BHARATI DHIRUBHAI SHIYAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO 156 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.03.2018

## INCOME LIMIT FOR AVAILING SCHOLARSHIP

## 156. SHRI RAMESH CHANDER KAUSHIK: DR BHARATIBEN D. SHYAL:

## Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the annual income limit of parents of the students belonging to Other Backward Classes (OBCs) for availing scholarship is fixed at one lakh rupees and if so. the reasons therefor:
- b) whether the annual income limit of parents of the students belonging to other classes for availing scholarship is fixed at more than two lakh rupees and if So, the reasons therefor;
- whether the said difference in family income limits is not against social justice; and
- (d) whether the Government proposes to make any revision in this regard and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI THAA WARCHAND GEHLOT)

(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

Statement for answer to part (a) to (d) of the Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 156 for answer on 06/03/2018   raised by Shri Ramesh Chander Kaushik and Dr. Bharatiben D Shyal regarding "Income limit for availing scholarship"

(a) to (d): Post   matric  Scholarship scheme is Rs. 1.00  lakh: It is proposed to increase this ceiling to Rs 1.50 lakh. Depending upon the availability of funds and t0 cover poorest of poor of different categories of students as well as different courses, annual income ceiling is fixed by Government of India through mechanism and hence the eligibility criteria differs. requisite

Different Scholarship Schemes cover different categories of students and also cover different courses. To cover poorest of poor among different categories of students, variations in annual income ceiling are there. The eligibility criteria for scheme of Pre-Matric Scholarship for OBCs have been revised   from Rs. 44,500 to Rs. 2.50 lakh from 2017-18. The  annual  income ceiling for various scholarship schemes for different categories is enumerated below:

(Rs. in lakh;

| SLNo.   | Name of Scheme                 | BC   |   SC |   ST | DNT   | EBC   | Minority   |   Disability |
|---------|--------------------------------|------|------|------|-------|-------|------------|--------------|
| 1       | Pre-Matric Scholarship         | 2.50 |  2.5 |  2   | 2.00  |       | 1.00       |          2   |
| 2       | Post Matric Scholarship        | 1.00 |  2.5 |  2.5 | 2.00  | 1.00  | 2.00       |          2.5 |
| 3_      | National Overseas Scholarship_ |      |  6   |  6   |       |       |            |          6   |
Lok Sabha Question No. 154 (STARRED), answered on 2018-03-06
Subject: Comprehensive Survey of Criminals
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: SURESH KODIKUNNIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *154

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 06 TH  MARCH, 2018 /PHALGUNA 15, 1939 (SAKA)

COMPREHENSIVE SURVEY OF CRIMINALS

*154. SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government proposes to undertake a comprehensive survey of criminals  across  the  country  in  order  to  prepare  a  national  database  of habitual and casual offenders as is being undertaken in Telangana State;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government also proposes to undertake geo tagging of such criminals  and  their  addressees  owing  to  the  present  inconsistencies  and systemic  difficulties  involved  in  inter-State  investigations  and  tracking  of criminals; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR)

(a) to (d):      A Statement is laid on the table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *154 FOR 06.03.2018 REGARDING COMPREHENSIVE SURVEY OF CRIMINALS.

(a)  to  (d) 'Police'  and  'Public  Order'  are  State  subjects  under  the  seventh Schedule to the  Constitution  of  India  and  therefore,  the  State  Governments are primarily responsible for prevention, detection, registration and investigation of crime and for prosecuting the criminals through the machinery of their law enforcement agencies, as also for  protecting the life and property of the citizens and therefore it is for the State/ UT Government to implement relevant and appropriate schemes in their area to maintain peace for  coexistence  in  the  society.  However,  National  Crime  Records  Bureau (NCRB) maintains a National Database on Crime and Criminals under Crime & Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) Project. The Core Application  Software  (CAS)  Application  has  the  functionality  to  categorize offenders  on  various  parameters  based  on  CCTNS  database  as  Accused, Convict, Charge Sheeted, Arrested, Proclaimed Offender and Habitual Offender/ History Sheeter. The provision of geo-tagging of criminals and their addresses  is  not  in  CCTNS  CAS  Application.  However,  the  CCTNS  CAS Application has a provision for capturing latitude & longitude of the Scene of Crime  in  the  Integrated  Investigation  Form  (IIF-2:  Crime  Details  Form).  The Ministry  of  Home  affairs  has  also,  from  time  to  time,  issued  necessary advisories  for  states/  UTs  to  maintain  peace  in  their  area  jurisdiction  and these advisories are available in the Ministry's website: www.mha.gov.in.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 153 (STARRED), answered on 2018-03-06
Subject: Currency Seized from Militant Organisations
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: RAMEN DEKA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *153

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 06 TH  MARCH, 2018 /PHALGUNA 15, 1939 (SAKA)

CURRENCY SEIZED FROM MILITANT ORGANISATIONS

*153. SHRI RAMEN DEKA:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  the  details  of  genuine  currency  and  fake  currency  seized  from  militant organisations  in  Assam  during  operations  by  different  security  organisations during the last five years;

(b)  whether  the  confiscated  currency  has  been  deposited  in  the  Government treasury; and

(c) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a) to (c):     A statement is laid on the table of the house.

## Statement referred to in reply to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. *153 dated 06 th  March, 2018.

(a)  to  (c):    The  details  of  genuine  and  fake  currency  seized  from  militant organisations  in  Assam  during  operations  by  different  security  organisations during the last five years (2013-2017) are as follows:

| Year      | Name of militant organisation   | Genuine currency seized (in Rs.)   | Fake currency seized (in Rs.)   |
|-----------|---------------------------------|------------------------------------|---------------------------------|
| 2013-2017 | KPL(T)/ULFA/ NDFB(S)            | Rs. 30,36,971/-                    | Rs. 5,000/-                     |

As per information available, out of the above seizures, Rs. 4,15,491/-  has been deposited in Government Treasury.  Of the remaining seized currency Rs. 35,000/- has been given to persons/authorities as per court orders and the rest is in the custody of the court or at Police Stations Malkhana awaiting court orders.

***********
Lok Sabha Question No. 151 (STARRED), answered on 2018-03-06
Subject: Cyclone Ockhi
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: RAMACHANDRAN MULLAPPALLY, ANTO  ANTONY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *151

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 06 TH  MARCH, 2018 /PHALGUNA 15, 1939 (SAKA)

CYCLONE OCKHI

*151. SHRI MULLAPPALLY RAMACHANDRAN: SHRI ANTO ANTONY:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has any data regarding the number of people who died and those went missing due to cyclone Ockhi;

(b) if so, the details thereof, State and category-wise;

(c) whether the Government has considered the requests for providing Central financial  assistance  from  the  affected  States  including  Kerala  for  extending relief measures to the victims of Ockhi cyclone; and

(d)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  details  of  central  assistance provided to the States, State-wise?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## Statement referred to in reply to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. *151 dated 06 th  March, 2018.

## (a)   to (d):   As per the information received from the State Governments and UT of Lakshadweep, the details of reported losses are given as under:-

(As on 27.02.2018)

| State/ UT   | Human lives lost   | Reported missing   |
|-------------|--------------------|--------------------|
| Kerala      | 60                 | 102 *              |
| Tamil Nadu  | 42                 | 191 @              |
| Lakshadweep | Nil                | Nil                |

- @  Of  these  161  persons  have  been  construed  as  dead  by  State

Government.

In order to support the affected people of the State Governments of Kerala and Tamil  Nadu,  after  the  cyclone  'Ockhi'  the  Government  of  India  has  released assistance  of  Rs.  280.50  crore  to  Tamil  Nadu  and  Rs.  76.50  crore  to  Kerala from  State  Disaster  Response  Fund  (SDRF)  on  8 th   December  2017  and  11 th December  2017  respectively,  for  immediate  relief  measures.  Further,  the Government  of  India  has  released,  on  account  basis,  an  amount  of  Rs.  133 crore  each  from  National  Disaster  Response  Fund  (NDRF)  to  Government  of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Similarly, an amount of Rs. 15 crore was sanctioned on account basis to UT of Lakshadweep on 4 th  January 2018 for relief measures to the victims of Ockhi cyclone.

## L.S.S.Q NO. *151 FOR 06.03.2018

Further, the Government of India also extended full logistics support including deployment  of  Indian  Navy  ships,  Coast  Guard  ships,  IAF  helicopters  &  aero planes, Coast Guard helicopters, Navy & Coast Guard personnel and Teams of National Disaster Response  Force  (NDRF) along with necessary rescue equipments for immediate rescue, search and relief measures to the victims of Ockhi cyclone.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 150 (STARRED), answered on 2018-03-06
Subject: Prices of Agricultural Products
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: J. JAYASINGH THIYAGARAJ NATTERJEE, R. PARTHIPAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION & FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 150

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 6 TH  MARCH, 2018

## PRICES OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS

- *150.    SHRI J.J.T. NATTERJEE: SHRI R. PARTHIPAN:

Will  the  Minister  of  AGRICULTURE  AND  FARMERS  WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण ½ãâ¨ããè be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Goods and Services Tax (GST) has struck the agricultural sector hard, creating confusion and lack of clarity;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government is aware that the prices of agricultural products have come down below the cost of production recently irrespective of crops;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the Government has any mechanism to address these issues and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण ½ãâ¨ããè

(SHRI RADHA MOHAN SINGH)

- (a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 150    DUE FOR REPLY ON 6 TH  MARCH, 2018.

(a) & (b):    No, Madam. Long time impact of GST will be positive for farmers as our country will be a single market and internal barriers will be removed.

(c) to (e ):       Except for sunflower seed, the average monthly wholesale prices of major agricultural crops are above the all India weighted average cost of production.

Government  fixes  the  Minimum  Support  Prices  (MSPs)  of  22  mandated agricultural crops and Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) for sugarcane based on the recommendations  of  the  Commission  of  Agricultural  Costs  and  Prices  (CACP),  after considering  the  views  of  State  Governments  and  Central  Ministries  /Departments concerned  and  other  relevant  factors  to  prevent  farmers  from  distress  sale.  While formulating  its  recommendation  on  price  policy,  CACP  considers  cost  of  production, trends in market prices, demand and supply situation, effect on general price level and effect on cost of living.

Government  has  increased  the  MSPs  of  Kharif  and  Rabi  crops  for  2017-18 Seasons  on  the  basis  of  recommendations  of  CACP.  The  MSPs  fixed  by  the Government  provide  adequate  returns  over  weighted  average  cost  of  production  as estimated by the CACP.

In the Union Budget for 2018-19, it has been announced that the MSP of kharif crops would be fixed at one and a half times of the cost of production.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1840 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-06
Subject: Subsidy Bill Raised by FCI
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: ELUMALAI VELLAIGOUNDER

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1840

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 06 TH  MARCH, 2018

## SUBSIDY BILL RAISED BY FCI

1840. SHRI V. ELUMALAI:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  it  is  true  that  on  an  average  the  Government  had  been paying only 67 per cent of the total subsidy bills raised by FCI over the last five years;
- (b) whether it is true that this has resulted in the corporation incurring interest burden amounting to Rs. 30,700 crore;
- (c) whether  it  is  also  true  that  an  amount  of  Rs.  2897  crore  was outstanding as on March, 2016 from various Ministries and State Governments;
- (d) whether it is true that the FCI has failed to conduct efficient analysis after every two quarters as mandated and that no study has been conducted on  the  monthly  cash  credit  used  by  FCI  on  the  subsidy  released  by  the Government; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## A N S W E R

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR  CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)

- (a):   The detail of the food subsidy released during the last five year is as under:

| Financial Year   | Amount Released (in Rs. Crore)   |
|------------------|----------------------------------|
| 2013-14          | 75500.02                         |
| 2014-15          | 91995.35                         |
| 2015-16          | 112000.00                        |
| 2016-17          | 103334.61*                       |
| 2017-18**        | 104901.15                        |

(b):            Due  to  lesser  allocation,  FCI  incurred  total  interest  cost  of Rs.35701.81 crore during the period 2011-12 to 2015-16.

(c):  Yes, Madam.

(d)  to  (e):    FCI  regularly  analyzes  its  dependency  on  cash  credit  limit  and taking  various  steps  to  reduce  cost  like  infusion  of  additional  equity, additional budgetary provision to liquidate the food subsidy arrears and issue of long term bonds, etc.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1838 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-06
Subject: Damaged Wheat in Punjab
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: K. ASHOK KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1838 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06 TH  MARCH, 2018

## DAMAGED WHEAT IN PUNJAB

1838.

SHRI K. ASHOK KUMAR:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is true that more than 4.72 lakh tonnes of wheat valued at Rs.  700.30  crore  got  damaged  in  Punjab  till  March,  2016  due  to  delay  in implementation of the Private Entrepreneurs Guarantee Scheme which was expected to increase the storage capacity of foodgrains in the State;
- (b) whether it is also true that the damaged wheat was declared as nonissuable for  public  distribution  as  it  was  stored  in  open  areas  by  the  Food Corporation of India; and
- (c)
- if so, the details thereof?

## A N S W E R

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR  CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)

- (a): A quantity of 4.72 lakh ton non-issuable/damaged foodgrain stocks of various crop years lying with State agencies of Punjab in Covered & Plinth (CAP)  storage  for  the  period  ending  31 st   March,  2016,  was  mainly  due  to improper upkeep of stocks.

Private  Entrepreneurs  Guarantee  (PEG)  Scheme  was  introduced  on 28.07.2008  for  augmentation  of  storage  capacity  to  meet  the  procurement and Public Distribution System (PDS) needs of the States. Initially there was lukewarm response of the scheme. Tenders were floated several times and the  efforts  were  continued  unabatedly.  Delay  was  due  to  poor  response  of the parties against the tenders and higher rates quoted. Considering the poor response,  the  period  of    guaranteed  hiring  was  increased  initially  from  5 years to 7 years and later on to 10 years. In view of it, maximum capacity of 38.84 lakh ton was awarded in 2011-12 in Punjab which was completed in 2013-14 and 2014-15. The capacity of PEG godowns taken over by FCI was 40.88 lakh ton. These capacities played vital role in subsequently reducing the wheat stock in CAP/Kacha Plinth/Mandies etc in Punjab.

- (b) & (c): Does not arise, as the damaged  stock  of foodgrains as mentioned at (a) above, was not taken over by Food Corporation of India.

****