Lok Sabha Question No. 2516 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-21
Subject: Improvement in Local Food Products
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Jamyang Tsering Namgyal

## Government of India

## Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Department of Consumer Affairs

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2516

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.12.2022

## IMPROVEMENT IN LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTS

2516.  SHRI JAMYANG TSERING NAMGYAL:

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  has  taken  or  proposes  to  take  measures  in  the  improvement  of  local  food products in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government is providing adequate food supplies with quality in the Country and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  charges  extra  payment  for  supply  to  far  flung  and  remote  valleys  of  the Country and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether the Government has detailed plan to amend the food lists for supply in the country and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## miHkksDrk ekeys] [kk| vkSj lkoZtfud forj.k jkT; ea=h (श्री अश्विनी क ु मार चौबे)

## THE MINISTER OF STATE CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

(a) to (d): The Ministry of Food Processing Industries implements a scheme for setting up/upgradation of food testing  laboratories  since  2005.  With  the  objective  to  strengthen  food  quality  control  infrastructure  and make it available to food processing sectors including other stakeholders to ensure compliance with domestic and  international  safety  standards,  and  also  to    reduce  turnaround  time  for  analysis  of  food  samples.  This scheme has  created  supporting  infrastructure  to  ensure  quality  of  food  produced  and  manufactured  in  India, exported to other countries and also imported in India.

Under  this  scheme,  the  Central/State  Governments  and  there  organisations  /Government  Universities including deemed universities and all other implementing agencies and private sectors universities are eligible for  financial  assistance  for  setting  up  food  testing  laboratories.    As  on  16.12.2022,  total  172  food  testing laboratories projects have been approved across the country, out of which 139 have since been completed.

The procurement of foodgrains like rice, wheat and coarsegrains for building of buffer is undertaken in conformity with Fair Average Quality (FAQ) standard.

The Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) is implemented under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 in all the States/UTs. The Act provides for coverage upto 75% of rural population and upto 50% of  urban  population  (census  2011)  for  receiving  food  grains  such  as  rice,  wheat  and  coarse  grains  at  highly subsidized rates viz. Rs. 3/2/1 per kg respectively. Under this act, the Priority Households (PH) are entitled to receive 5 kg of foodgrains per person per month and Antyodya Anna Yojana (AAY) families are entitled to receive 35 kg of foodgrains per month per family at the same rates. As per the Food Security (Assistance to State Government) (Amendment) Rules, 2022, the norms of expenditure for intra-State movement and handling, fair price shop dealers margin and percentage share of Central have been made more liberal for hilly and the North Eastern States, and Islands of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep.