(a) whether the amount of subsidy on different items has been increasing over the last few years;
(b) if so, the total subsidy provided during 1997-98, 1998-99 and 1999-2000 separately;
(c) the amount of subsidy on fertilisers and foodgrains separately;
(d) whether the Government propose to change the present system of providing subsidy on fertilisers and foodgrains; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI BALASAHEB VIKHE PATIL)
(a),(b) & (c): The details of subsidy given on various items (including fertilizers and foodgrains) over the last several years is given in Annexure 3.1 of the Expenditure Budget 2001-2002 Volume 1;
(d) & (e): The Expenditure Reforms Commission has given recommendations for rationalising the subsidy regime. Finance Minister in his Budget Speech presented to Parliament on 28.2.2001 indicated the approach being adopted by Government.