Lok Sabha Question No. 15 (STARRED), answered on 2021-02-02
Subject: Fortification of Rice and its Distribution under PDS
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Kripanath Mallah

## MINISTRY  OtF COilSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD &  pUBLtc  DTSTRIBUTION

## GOVERNMENT  OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIG DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABI{A STARRED  QUESTION NO.{s

## TO BE AI{SWERED ON 2n'r Februaryr20121

## FORTIFIGATION  OF RICE AND ITS DISTRIBUTION UNDER PDS

## *{5. SHRI KRI]IANATII  MALLAH:

lYill the Minister  of GONSUMER  AFFAIRS,  FOOD AilD PUBLIC DlsTRIBuTloil  scgtfrr arr*, urc,a alf  grtstfr*,  Ffd{or  *+ be pteased  to state:

- (a)  the salient features of the Pilot Scheme  on  ,.Fortification  of Rice & its Distribution under Public Distribution System,t run by the Government within the country;
- (b) the details of the funds sanctioned, allocated and utilized under thls scheme within Assam during the last one year;
- (c)  the details of the target set and achievements  made so farl
- (d)  the details of the districts covered under this scheme within Assam so la4
- (e)  whether the Government is planning to include some more districts of Assam snder this scheme; and
- (0 if so, the details thereof and the time by which these are likely to be included?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAI!-WAYS, COMMERCE  & INDUSTRY AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS,  FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (sHRr PTYUSH GOYAL)

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

STATEMENT REFERRED TO !N REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (O OF THE STARRED QUESTION I{O.  *{5  DUE FOR ANSWER  O]{ O2.O2.202{  IN THE LOK SABHA.

- (a): To address anaemia and micro-nutrient deficiency in the countryt Government  of lndia approved Gentrally  Sponsored Pilot Scheme on "Fortification  of Rice & its Distribution under Public Distribution System (PDS)" for a period of 3 years beginning in 2O19-2O  with total outlay of Rs 17 4.64 Gr. The Pilot Scheme is intended  to focus on '15 Districts across {5 states,  preferably  {  District  per State. The scheme  is funded by the Govemment of India in the ratio of 9O:{O in respect of Nofh-Eastern,  Hilly and tsland States and in the ratio ot 75=25 in respect of the rest of the States.

The key obliectives of the Pilot Scheme are:

- o Distribution of Fortified  Rice through Public Distribution System (PDS), to cater to l5 Districts in the country '  preferably one district  per State in the initial phase of lmplementation.
- o Facititate cross teaming and sharing of best practices among States/UTs  and DoF&PD.
- o Goverage of NFSA' beneficiaries under PDS with Fortified Rice in the selected Districts.
- To evaluate the provisionr  coverage and Utilization of Fortified  Rice by the target population as well as the efficiency/effectiveness  of the consumption  of fortified rice in reducing the targeted micronutrient
- . deficiencies in different age and gender  groups.

Fifteen State Governments i.e Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra,  Odisha, Guiarat, Uttar Pradeshr Assamr Tami! Nadu, Telangana, Puniab, Ghhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand &  Madhya Pradesh have eonsented  and identified their respective  Districts  ({ District  Per State) for implementation of the Pilot Scheme.

- (b): The funds that can be released for Assam being a Hilly state of approximate Rs,3.4O Grore annually comprising  incremental cost of fortification, establishment  of sPMU, etc. As the state Govt. of Assam  has not started distribution  of fortified rice under the scheme, no funds have been reteased  under this scheme for Assam during the last one year'

(c):  The target is distribution  of fortified rice under PDS in identified {5 Districts  (one district  per state) under the Pilot scheme. so farr six states namelyofAndhraPradeshrGuiaratrMaharashtrarTamilNadut chhattisgarh & uttar Pradesh have distributed a total of approxlmate 8O7{9 MTs (till 3{st December  2o2O) ol fortified rice under the scheme in their selected districts.

(d)! The Government of Assam vide letter dated 6th May, 2O{9 identified Eongaigaon  District for distribution  of Fortified  RiGe under the scheme. The state government  subsequentty changed the talget district Dhubri vide tetter dated 5th December  2O2O ln place of Bongaigaon  District for implementation of  the Pilot Scheme, which was approved by the Govemment of lndia.

(e): Nor Sir.

(O: Does not arise