Lok Sabha Question No. 994 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-24
Subject: Welfare Institutions and Hostels Scheme
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: SHOBHA KARANDLAJE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 994 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24 TH  JULY, 2018

## WELFARE INSTITUTIONS AND HOSTELS SCHEME

## 994.   KUMARI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE:

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  the  Government  proposes  to  launch  a  Welfare  Institutions and Hostels Scheme shortly and if so, the details and the objectives thereof;
- (b) whether  all  the  students  living  in  the  hostels,  where  two-thirds belong to SC, ST and OBC communities, will be entitled to 15 kg of foodgrain per month at subsidised rates;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  sought  from  the  State  Governments their requirement of foodgrains for providing 15 kg each to SC, ST, OBC and women residents of hostels;
- (d) the number of boys and girls likely to be benefited from SC, ST, OBC
- and backwards from minorities; and
- (e) the time by which the new Scheme is likely to be launched and the
- names of the States selected for the roll out?

## A N S W E R

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

(a) to (e): The Government of India is implementing 'Allocation of foodgrains under Welfare Institutions and Hostels Scheme' with effect from 01.09.2017. This scheme was launched after the merger of two schemes i.e. Welfare Institutions Scheme and SC/ST/OBC Hostels Scheme. Allocation of foodgrains under the scheme is made to State Governments/Union Territory Administrations  to  meet  the  requirements  of  Welfare  Institutions  viz. Charitable  Institutions  such  as  beggar  homes,  nari-niketans  and  other similar welfare institutions, sponsored by State Governments/Union Territory  Administrations  that  are  not  covered  under  Targeted  Public Distribution System  or  any  other  Welfare Scheme.  The  allocation  of foodgrain for the residents/students of SC/ST/OBC Hostels is made in order to  ensure  adequate  standards  of  nutrition  in  institutions  meant  for  the welfare and development of weaker sections of the society.

Under  the  scheme,  the  allocation  of  foodgrain  is  made  for  all  the residents/students  of  the  SC/ST/OBC  hostels  subject  to  the  condition  that 2/3 rd   of  the  inmates  belong  to  the  SC/ST/OBC  community.  The  beneficiary institutions/hostels are entitled to receive foodgrains at BPL prices with an upper ceiling of maximum of 15 kg per beneficiary per month.

Allocation of foodgrain under the scheme is made by Department  of  Food  &  Public  Distribution  on  the  basis  of  the  requests received from the States/UTs, as per extant norms.

The  scheme  is  operated  under  the  joint  responsibility  of  the Central Government and State Governments/UT Administrations. The Central Government  is responsible for procurement, storage and its allocation  to  the  States/UTs.  State  Governments/UT  Administrations  are responsible for lifting the allocated foodgrains and its distribution within the States/UTs  and  in  ensuring  the  allocated  foodgrains  reach  the  targeted beneficiaries.  During  the  current  financial  year,  so  far  more  than  37  lakh inmates/boarders in 17 states/UTs have availed benefit under the scheme.

****