(a) whether the Government has any plan to provide transportation charges for transporting foodgrains from point of production to point of distribution;
(b) if so, the extent of additional expenditure likely to be incurred;
(c) the benefits likely to accrue as a result thereof;
(d) the details of persons likely to be benefited from this scheme; and
(e) steps taken to check the nexus between unscrupulous officers and middlemen?
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)
(a), (b), (c), (d) & (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF STARRED QUESTION NO.173 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 13.12.2004 IN THE LOK SABHA
(a) & (b): The Government of India is already reimbursing the Food Corporation of India (FCI) for the transportation of foodgrains from procurement regions to all its base depots. In respect of the States undertaking decentralized procurement also, transportation charges are being reimbursed as per actuals, from the procurement centres to the main distribution centres.
(c) & (d): Do not arise.
(e): Over 90% of the transportation of foodgrains is undertaken through the Railways. The balance quantity is transported through road, which is done through handling and transport contractors of the FCI who are appointed on the basis of a transparent and open bidding system. The FCI also has in place an effective vigilance machinery to check malpractices.