Question : UTILISATION CERTIFICATE ON FOODGRAINS

(a) whether the Union Government have asked the State Governments to produce a utilisation certificate of foodgrains supplied to them for people living below poverty line;

(b) if so, the names of the States who have furnished / not furnished such utilisation certificate so far separately;

(c) the action taken against such States who have not furnished such certificates;

(d) the details of subsidy being given by the Government on such foodgrains meant for people living below poverty line;

(e) whether various complaints have been received by the Union Government in the past few months on the blackmarketing of such foodgrains; and

(f) if so, the concrete action taken by the Government thereon?

THE MINISTER OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION ( SHRI SHANTA KUMAR )

(a),(b),(c),(d),(e)&(f): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.


STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a),(b),(c),(d),(e)&)(f) OF STARRED QUESTION NO. 578 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 31-08-2001 IN THE LOK SABHA.

(a),(b)&(c): The mechanism of linking utilisation certificates with distribution of subsidised foodgrains exists at present in respect of those States where decentralised procurement is being undertaken. Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal have been submitting the utilisation certificates with effect from April 2000 as required, whereas Uttar Pradesh has been furnishing the utilisation certificates with effect from April 2001. Under the system of decentralised procurement, subsidy is released to State Governments on submission of bills to the extent of 90% of their claim. The balance 10% is released on submitting the utilisation certificates.

(d): The total amount of consumer subsidy borne by the Government of India during the year 2000-01 for distribution of subsidised foodgrains to Below Poverty Line population throughout the country is estimated to be Rs.4478 crores.

(e)&(f): Some complaints were received in this regard. These complaints have been forwarded to the concerned State Governments for taking suitable action. Public Distributin System (PDS) is operated under the joint responsibility of the Central and State Governments. Whereas the Central Government is responsible for procurement, storage and transportation of foodgrains upto the designated godowns of FCI, the responsibility of distribution of foodgrains to targeted beneficiaries in a transparent and accountable manner rests with the State Governments.