Question : Fortification of Rice and its Distribution under PDS

(a) the salient features of the Pilot Scheme on “Fortification of Rice & its Distribution under Public Distribution System” run by the Government within the country;

(b) the details of the funds sanctioned, allocated and utilized under this scheme within Assam during the last one year;

(c) the details of the target set and achievements made so far;

(d) the details of the districts covered under this scheme within Assam so far;

(e) whether the Government is planning to include some more districts of Assam under this scheme; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and the time by which these are likely to be included?

A N S W E R
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMERCE & INDUSTRY AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a) to (f): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.


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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF THE STARRED QUESTION NO. *15 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 02.02.2021 IN THE LOK SABHA.

(a): To address anaemia and micro-nutrient deficiency in the country, Government of India approved Centrally Sponsored Pilot Scheme on "Fortification of Rice & its Distribution under Public Distribution System (PDS)" for a period of 3 years beginning in 2019-20 with total outlay of Rs 174.64 Cr. The Pilot Scheme is intended to focus on 15 Districts across 15 states, preferably 1 District per State. The scheme is funded by the Government of India in the ratio of 90:10 in respect of North-Eastern, Hilly and Island States and in the ratio of 75:25 in respect of the rest of the States.

The key objectives of the Pilot Scheme are:

• Distribution of Fortified Rice through Public Distribution System (PDS), to cater to 15 Districts in the country - preferably one district per State in the initial phase of Implementation.
• Coverage of NFSA, beneficiaries under PDS with Fortified Rice in the selected Districts.
• Facilitate cross learning and sharing of best practices among States/UTs and DoF&PD.
• To evaluate the provision, coverage and Utilization of Fortified Rice by the target population as well as the efficiency/effectiveness of the consumption of fortified rice in reducing the targeted micronutrient deficiencies in different age and gender groups.

Fifteen State Governments i.e Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand & Madhya Pradesh have consented and identified their respective Districts (1 District Per State) for implementation of the Pilot Scheme.


(b): The funds that can be released for Assam being a Hilly state of approximate Rs.3.40 Crore annually comprising incremental cost of fortification, establishment of SPMU, etc. As the State Govt. of Assam has not started distribution of fortified rice under the scheme, no funds have been released under this scheme for Assam during the last one year.


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(c): The target is distribution of fortified rice under PDS in identified 15 Districts (one district per state) under the Pilot Scheme. So far, Six states namely of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh & Uttar Pradesh have distributed a total of approximate 80719 MTs (till 31st December 2020) of fortified rice under the scheme in their selected districts.

(d): The Government of Assam vide letter dated 6th May, 2019 identified Bongaigaon District for distribution of Fortified Rice under the Scheme. The State government subsequently changed the target district Dhubri vide letter dated 5th December 2020 in place of Bongaigaon District for implementation of the Pilot Scheme, which was approved by the Government of India.

(e): No, Sir.

(f): Does not arise
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