Question : INSTITUTE FOR TESTING RICE AND WHEAT

(a) whether the Government has assigned the responsibility of testing rice and wheat, before procurement by Food Corporation of India to some institutes;

(b) if so, the details and reasons therefor indicating the names of such institutes;

(c) the criteria followed in the selection of the said institutes;

(d) whether the Government regularly reviews and evaluates the functioning of the said institutes;

(e) if so, whether shortcomings have been noticed in some such institutes; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and action taken against such defaulting institutes?

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION ( SHRI SHARAD PAWAR )

(a): No, Sir. The Government has not assigned the responsibility of testing of rice and wheat before procurement by Food Corporation of India to any institute.

(b), (c), (d), (e) & (f): Do not arise.