Question : BIO FERTILIZER PROJECTS IN PRIVATE SECTOR

(a) whether the Government have a policy to promote Bio-Fertilizer Projects;

(b) whether the Government have received any proposals from various States for setting up of Bio-Fertilizer projects in private sector;

(c) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;

(d) the number of proposals approved so far and the number of projects pending for approval during 2000-2001;

(e) the reasons for not according the approval to the remaining projects;

(f) the time by which the said proposals are likely to be cleared; and

(g) the details of financial assistance being provided to private enterprises under the said scheme?

MINISTER OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (SHRI SUKHDEV SINGH DHINDSA)

(a)&(b): Yes Sir.

(c) to (f): In order to promote the development and use of bio-fertilizer, Government of India is implementing a Central Sector Scheme “National Project on Development and Use of Bio-fertilizers”. During the 9th Plan, the Government has received a total of 224 project proposals, including 211 from private sector, through State Governments in response to the guidelines circulated among states. The state- wise details of these proposals are given in the attached annexure. The proposals are approved on the basis of recommendations of inter-departmental Committee which takes into account the comparative suitability of the projects, availability of funds and other relevant factors. Of the above, a total of 37 project proposals, including 27 in the private sector have been approved with a total production capacity of 4500 tons, as targeted for the 9th Plan period.

(g) The financial assistance of Rs. 20 lakh was provided for creating a production capacity of 150 tons of bio-fertilizer per annum and Rs. 10 lakh for 75 tons capacity per annum. The grants are released through the State Governments in two installments.



ANNEXURE

Annexure to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 5494 due for answer on 24.4.2001.


STATE-WISE NUMBER OF PROPOSALS RECEIVED UNDER THE SCHEME NATIONAL PROJECT ON DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF BIO-FERTILIZER DURING THE 9TH PLAN.

NAME OF STATE TOTAL NO. OF PROPOSALS NO. OF PROPOSALS RECEIVED	RECEIVED FROM PRIVATE SECTOR
Assam	2 2
Arunachal Pradesh 1 1
Andhra Pradesh 2 2
Gujarat 6 4
Maharashtra 149 149
Madhya Pradesh 9 6
Punjab 3 3
Kerala 3 3
Karnataka 23 20
Rajasthan 4 4
Uttar Pradesh 6 2
Orissa 6 6
Sikkim 1 1
Himachal Pradesh 1 1
Meghalaya 1 -
Mizoram 2 2
Nagaland 1 1
Tripura 1 1
Tamilnadue 1 1
West Bengal 2 2
TOTAL 224 211