Question : Hill Transport Subsidy

(a) the criteria fixed by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) for setting up of godowns in the States;

(b) whether some State Governments have requested the Union Government for setting up of godowns in their States, if so, the details thereof and the response of the Union Government thereto, State/ UT-wise;

(c) whether the FCI has provided Hill transport subsidy to some States and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Hill transport subsidy is pending with the Union Government and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor, State/UT-wise; and

(e) the corrective measures taken/being taken by the Government to resolve and expedite the release of pending subsidy at the earliest?

MINISTER OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI RAMVILAS PASWAN)


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


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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF THE STARRED QUESTION NO. *206 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 03.12.2019 IN THE LOK SABHA.

(a) to (e): The requirement of storage capacity for foodgrains in States is assessed based on the procurement level, buffer stocks, requirement under Public Distribution System (PDS) and Other Welfare Schemes (OWS). Storage capacity assessment in the procuring States is based on highest stock levels in the last three years and in consuming States on the basis of 4 months requirement of under PDS and OWS.
The details of States which have requested Government of India for construction of godowns between 01.04.2017 & 31.10.2019 and the action taken thereon are as given below:-
i. Proposals for construction of godowns received from the State Governments of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura have been approved under the Central Sector Scheme (Grant-in-aid). The details of number of projects approved and funds released for construction of intermediate storage godowns from 01.04.2017 to 31.10.2019 are at Annexure-I. In respect of proposals received from States of Manipur and Jammu & Kashmir, further clarification regarding capacity/availability of land etc. has been sought.
ii. In respect of State Government of Nagaland, it had sent a proposal to Food Corporation of India (FCI) for construction of a 5,000 MT godown and Government of India has conveyed its approval.
iii. State Governments of Punjab and Haryana had requested to construct godowns under Private Entrepreneurs Guarantee (PEG) Scheme. However, Government of India has decided to construct steel silos which are more scientific and a step towards modernization.
The details of Hill Transport Subsidy (HTS) for reimbursement to States/UTs are at Annexure-II. Ministry and FCI conduct regular meetings with State Governments to expedite the release of payments.
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ANNEXURE-I
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF THE STARRED QUESTION NO.206 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 03.12.2019 IN THE LOK SABHA.


Details of States which have requested Government of India for construction of godowns and the action taken thereon are as given below (from 01.04.2017 to 31.10.2019):

SL State Government No. of projects approved Funds released
(in Rs Cr)

1 Assam 06 9.57
2 Arunachal Pradesh 24 8.04
3 Nagaland 06 4.00
4 Sikkim 11 11.71
5 Tripura 03 4.88
6 Mizoram 10 14.42
Total 60 52.62

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ANNEXURE-II
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF THE STARRED QUESTION NO.206 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 03.12.2019 IN THE LOK SABHA.

Details of amount for reimbursement under Hill Transport Subsidy (HTS) Scheme by various States/UTs are as under:
(in Rs Cr)

Sl. No. State/UT Amount claimed Date of submission of claims Amount reimbursed Amount disallowed Bills returned Bills pending Stage
1. Mizoram 53.38 13.09.2019 to 30.09.2019 - - - 53.38 Under Scrutiny
2. Tripura 3.35 23.10.2019 - - - 3.35 Under Scrutiny
3. Manipur 1.91 09.09.2019 - - - 1.91 Under Scrutiny
4. Nagaland 4.34 08.03.2019 to 15.04.2019 - - 4.34 - -
5. Sikkim 0.52 24.09.2019 - - - 0.52 Under Scrutiny
6. Himachal Pradesh 11.49 30.09.2019 - - - 11.49 Under Scrutiny
7. Arunachal Pradesh 46.89 27.09.2019 - - - 46.89 Under Scrutiny
8. Lakshadweep 0.11 30.09.2019 0.07 - 0.04 - -

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