Question : ASSISTANCE TO NGOS

(a) whether any financial assistance in the agriculture sector has been provided to any Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Self Help Groups (SHGs) in the country including Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat;

(b) if so, the details of the assistance given during the last three years and the current year, State-wise;

(c) the names of the NGOs which were provided the said financial assistance;

(d) the details of the work done by these NGOs; and

(e) whether the Government proposes to review/has reviewed the working of such NGOs and if so, the details and outcome thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)

(a): Normally, assistance to Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Self Help Groups (SHGs) working in the field of Agriculture is not provided directly by the Government of India. The States are free to provide such assistance under some schemes and programmes.

(b): Assistance provided to various NGOs under different Schemes of the Ministry of Agriculture includes the details given in Annexure-I.

(c): the names are given in Annexure-I.

(d): The details of work done by these NGOs is at Annexure-II.

(e): The details of review of the work done by these NGOs include the following:-

(i) Funds released under the National Horticulture Mission (NHM) Scheme to the National Horticultural Research & Development Foundation (NHRDF) is subject to annual audit as per the Extant Financial Rules. Joint Inspection Teams comprising officers from NHM, State Horticulture Mission and other authorities undertake field visits periodically to verify the status of work as per the approved action plan.

(ii) The work done by the KVKs (including KVKs run by NGOs) is reviewed on a regular basis by holding Scientific Advisory Committees, Review Workshops, Field Visits etc.