(a) whether the Food Testing Laboratories were sanctioned a sum of Rs.9.97 crores for purchase of machinery and equipment in order to test food supplies;
(b) if so, whether out of this amount a sum of Rs.6.21 crores was returned by the Ministry to the Central Pool as it was not disbursed;
(c) if so, whether the Government laboratories today have the necessary equipment for testing; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE( SMT. PANABAKA LAKSHMI)
(a) to (d) The Prevention of Food Adulteration (PFA) Programme has multifarious activities including strengthening the food laboratories of Centre and State level. A sum of Rs. 9.97 crores was allocated under Central Sector for the PFA programme during the 2002-2003. Out of this amount Rs.8.0 crores were under Plan and Rs. 1.97 crores under Non Plan budget. Out of Rs. 8.0 crore in the plan budget, a sum of Rs. 6.5 crores was under World Bank assisted proposed Capacity Building Project. As the Capacity Building Project could not be implemented due to non-approval of project during the year 2002-2003, the amount was reduced to Rs. 3.76 crores at the Revised Estimate (RE) Level.
Central Food Laboratories have the required capacity in terms of equipments for testing of various food items. Moreover, Central Food Laboratories and food laboratories of the various States/Uts have also been identified for strengthening in terms of necessary civil works, equipment, reagents, training of staff etc. under the Capacity Building Project.