(a) whether the Government have taken a decision to give subsidy on transportation of foodgrains provided under the Public Distribution System to the hilly areas of the country;
(b) if so, the amount of subsidy given on this account, State-wise;
(c) whether the Union Government propose to implement the said decision in all the scheduled castes, tribal and backward areas of the country;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) if not, the reasons therefore?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
( SHRI SRIRAM CHAUHAN )
(a) Yes, Sir.
(b) The amount of Hill Transport Subsidy (HTS), given, State-wise, for the years 1998-99
and 1999-2000 is indicated below:-
(Rs. in Crores)(c),(d) & (e): The Transport Subsidy Scheme of the Government is applicable only to the predominantly hilly States with little or no railways and poor road communications.
1998-99(Prov.) 1999-2000(RE)
Manipur 1.84 2.00 Meghalaya 0.14 0.15 Mezoram 10.43 11.32 Nagaland 2.64 2.87 Tripura 1.50 1.63 Sikkim 1.03 1.12 Lakshadweep 0.21 0.23 Arunachal Pradesh 11.33 12.30 Himachal Pradesh 2.11 2.29 Jammu & Kashmir 3.12 3.39 Other States 0.65 0.70
35.00 38.00