Question : AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND EDUCATION

(a) whether it is a fact that there has been drastic cut in allocation for Agricultural Research and Education for the year 2000-2001;

(b) if so, facts thereof and the comparative figures for the last three years;

(c) whether this drastic cut in Re Stage had adversely affected almost all the major plan- schemes during 1999-2000;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the efforts being made by the Government in this regard?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (DR. DEBENDRA PRADHAN)

(a) The Plan Budget of Rs. 629.55 crores was reduced to Rs. 550.00 crore for the year 2000-2001 at Revised Estimate stage.

(b) The facts and comparative figures for the last three years are as under:

Year Budget Estimate Revised Estimate Expenditure
1997-98 331.17 331.17 323.30	1998-99 531.17 445.00 427.72	1999-2000 573.50 504.00 498.47