(a) whether the Government proposes to start Grameen Bhandaran Yojana (GBY)
in the rural areas of the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the major objectives of the scheme;
(c) whether the Union Government has received proposals from the State
Governments including Kerala in this regard; and
(d) if so, the action taken by the Government thereon?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD PROCESSING
INDUSTRIES AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS(SHRI HARISH RAWAT)
(a): The Grameen Bhandaran Yojana is already in existence since 1/4/2001 which
is being implemented across the country including in rural areas.
(b): The `Grameen Bhandaran Yojana` is being implemented in XI Plan with a target
of creation of 90 lakh Metric Tonnes of storage capacity with a budget allocation of
Rs.400 crores. Presently the subsidy @ 25% of the project cost is being given to all
categories of farmers, Agriculture graduates, cooperatives & Central Warehousing
Corporations/ State Warehousing Corporations. All other categories of individuals,
companies and corporations are being given subsidy @ 15% of the project cost. In
case of North· Eastern States/hiily areas & scheduled caste/scheduled tribes
entrepreneurs and their cooperatives and women farmers, subsidy is given @ 33.33%
of the project cost. Assistance for renovations of rural godowns is restricted to godowns
constructed by cooperatives only. So far 25682 rural godowns, having a capacity of
294.83 lakhs MT with a subsidy release of Rs. 787.18 crores, have been sanctioned all
over the country.
The main objectives of the scheme are:
(i) creation of scientific storage capacity with allied facilities in rural
areas to meet out various requirements of farmers for storing farm produce,
processed farm produce, agricultural inputs;
(ii) prevention of distress sale immediately after harvest by providing the
facility of pledge financing and marketing credit;
(iii) strengthen agricultural marketing infrastructure in the country by paving the way
for the introduction of a national system of warehouse receipt in respect of agricultural
commodities stored in such godowns;
(iv) promotion of grading, standardisation and quality control of agricultural produce
to improve their marketability;
(v) to reverse the declining trend of investment in agriculture sector by
encouraging, private and cooperative sectors to invest in the creation of storage
infrastructure in the country.
(c): As per the operational guidelines of the scheme, proposals are submitted by the
promoters to NABARD/NCDC through financing banks to avail the benefit of subsidy
under the scheme. As such, no proposal of the State Government of Kerala is pending
in the Ministry.
(d): Does not arise.