Question : SETTING UP OF FOOD TESTING LABORATORIES

(a) whether the Government has provided any financial assistance for setting up/up-gradation of food testing / quality control laboratories under the Plan Scheme for Quality Assurance to various stakeholders such as Government of Academic Bodies, Industry Associations and Non-Governmental Organisation to promote food processing industries across the country;

(b) if so, the details of the financial assistance provided to such bodies/ organisations to promote food processing industries in the country during each of the last three years and the current year;

(c) whether there is any mechanism to check the utilisation of funds by the non- governmental organisations (NGOs);

(d) if so, whether any complaint has been received by the Government in regard to mis-utilisation of funds by NGOs; and

(e) if so, the action taken by the Government in this regard?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)

(a): The Ministry of Food Processing Industries provides financial assistance for setting up/up-gradation of food testing / quality control laboratories under the plan scheme for Quality Assurance, Codex Standards and Research & Development and Other Promotional Activities. Central/State Government and its organisations / universities (including Government owned deemed universities) and all other implementing agencies/ private sector organisations/ universities including deemed universities are eligible for assistance as per the guidelines of the scheme.
In order to ensure better and more effective utilization of funds, implementation of the Food Testing Laboratory (FTL) Scheme has been entrusted to Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) under the Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Research & Education (DARE) during the 12th Plan with effect from 01.04.2012. Proposals received up-to 31.03.2012 are dealt with by the Ministry.

(b): The details of financial assistance provided under the scheme during each of the last three years and the current year are given in Annexure.

(c)to (e): Non – Governmental Organisations have not been given any financial assistance under the scheme during last three years.

ANNEXURE

 
 ANNEXURE REFERRED IN REPLY TO PART (b) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 757 FOR ANSWER ON 15TH JULY, 2014 REGARDING SETTING UP OF FOOD TESTING LABORATORIES 
 
 S.No.	Year	No. of Projects	Total Grant-in-	Assisted	aid released	(Rs.in Lakh) 1.	2011-12	26	1738.53 2.	2012-13	10	859.44 3.	2013-14	26	2472.55 4.	2014-15	04	293.98 (Upto 10.07.14) Total	66	5364.50