Question : SUPPLY OF FOODGRAINS UNDER NFFWP

(a) whether the Government is facing problems due to lack of coordination amongst different organizations involved in the National Food for Work Programme (NFFWP);

(b) if so, the facts thereof;

(c) whether the Government is aware that there is wide time-gap between the receipt of requests for foodgrains from the District Administrations and actual release by the Centre;

(d) if so, the reasons therefor; and

(e) the steps taken or proposed to be taken by the Government for effective implementation of NFFWP and supply of Foodgrains thereunder?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI SURYAKANTA PATIL)

(a) & ( b) There is no lack of coordination amongst different organizations involved in the implementation of National Food for Work Programme (NFFWP).

(c) & (d) Since, NFFWP is a allocation based scheme, resources (funds & foodgrains) are released in two equal instalments. As per the programme Guidelines, the first instalment during the current year was to be released on submission of proposal by the District alongwith Utilization Certificate after utilization of 60% of resources released last year. The 2nd Instalment was to be released on submission of proposal with Utilization Certificate and Audit Report of the previous year after utilizing 60% of the available resources during the current year. If the proposals are found to be in order, resources are immediately released.

Once the authorization/release order of foodgrains is issued by the Ministry, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) has to make available the authorized quantity of foodgrains to the implementing authorities at the District level. The delay in making available the authorized quantity by the FCI has been noticed especially in case of Jharkhand, Bihar and the North- Eastern States.

(e): The NFFWP was an interim programme and has subsumed with the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) that has come into force w.e.f 2nd February 2006 in 200 notified Districts. No foodgrains will be provided under the NREGA.