(a) whether the Railways proposes to give its unused/vacant land on lease to the persons belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and persons living below poverty line or utilise the unused land for other purposes so that revenue may be earned for the benefits of the weaker sections;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Railways has received any request in this regard; and
(d) if so, the details thereof along with the action taken/proposed to be taken thereon?
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COAL
(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)
(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF STARRED QUESTION NO. 524 BY SHRI AJAY NISHAD TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 04.04.2018 REGARDING UNUSED/VACANT LAND
(a) to (d): The vacant Railway land which is not required for Railways’ own operational usage in the immediate future in urban as well as non-urban area is licensed to Group C and Group D Railway employees for cultivation purpose. However, preference is given to the staff belonging to Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe/Other Backward Class and those belonging to the economically weaker sections of the society under Grow More Food (GMF) Scheme of Railways for Railway employees/staff. At present, about 3349 Hectare land on Indian Railways has been licensed to Railway employees under GMF Scheme. Representations/requests from individuals, organizations etc. are received by Railways for leasing of Railway land to Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe/Other Backward Class and those belonging to the economically weaker sections of the society at various levels i.e. Divisional/Zonal/Railway Board. These are examined in light of extant policy guidelines and action taken accordingly.
*****