Lok Sabha Question No. 1009 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-08
Subject: Kisan Train Yojana
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Poonamben Hematbhai Maadam

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1009 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.02.2023

## KISAN TRAIN YOJANA

1009.  SHRIMATI POONAMBEN MAADAM:

Will the Minister of Railways be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  expand  potential circuits for the movement of vegetables, fruits, and other perishables under the Kisan Train Yojana;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  the  details  of  Kisan  Trains  being  operated  in  the  country including Gujarat, State-wise;
- (d) the total amount of subsidy being provided in this regard; and
- (e)  the  details  of  temperature-controlled  storage  facilities  being developed?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

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

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  1009  BY  SHRIMATI  POONAMBEN MAADAM  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  08.02.2023 REGARDING KISAN TRAIN YOJANA

(a) & (b): Potential  circuits  for  movement  of  Kisan  Rail  services are identified in consultation with Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare  and  Agriculture/Animal  Husbandry/Fisheries  Departments of State Governments as well as local bodies and agencies, Mandis etc,  and  based  on  demand,  rakes  are  provided  on  priority  for running of Kisan Rail services.

(c):  Since the launch of Kisan Rail service on 7 th  August 2020 and upto 31 st  January 2023, Railways have operated around 2,359 Kisan Rail services, transporting approximately 7.9 lakh tonnes of perishables.  The State-wise break up of number of services is as under:-

(provisional figures)

| States          | No. of outward services   |
|-----------------|---------------------------|
| Andhra Pradesh  | 116                       |
| Assam           | 1                         |
| Bihar           | 0                         |
| Delhi           | 0                         |
| Jammu & Kashmir | 0                         |
| Gujarat         | 62                        |
| Karnataka       | 46                        |
| Maharashtra     | 1,838                     |
| Madhya Pradesh  | 74                        |
| Nagaland        | 0                         |
| Punjab          | 15                        |
| Rajasthan       | 5                         |
| Telangana       | 66                        |
| Tripura         | 1                         |
| Uttar Pradesh   | 76                        |
| West Bengal     | 59                        |

(d):    Up  to  31.3.2022,  50 %  subsidy  in  freight  was  granted  by Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) for transportation of fruits  and  vegetables  by  Kisan  rail,  which  was  not  continued further. Thereafter, Railways have been continuing with the subsidy, at a rate of 45%.  This subsidy is presently applicable till 31.03.2023.

During 2020-21, Railways disbursed ₹27.79 crore as subsidy which was  reimbursed  by  MoFPI.    During  2021-22,  Railways  disbursed ₹121.86  crores  as  subsidy,  out  of  which  only  ₹50  crore  was reimbursed  by  MoFPI.    During  the  current  year  up  to  31.01.2023, Railways have disbursed ₹4 crore as subsidy.

(e):  So far, no request has been received from farmers/traders for creation  of  temperature  controlled  storage  facilities  under  the Kisan Rail Scheme.

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