Question : Rural Godowns

(a) whether the Government has implemented schemes/programmes for construction/ renovation of godowns/ warehouses in rural areas of various States to enhance the storage capacity of agricultural produce in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the number of godowns/warehouses constructed/renovated under the said schemes/ programmes during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UTwise;

(c) the details of the storage capacity of agriculture produce enhanced during the said period, State/UT-wise;

(d) the details of the funds allocated/ released/utilised under these schemes/ programmes during the said period, State/ UT-wise;

(e) whether cases of irregularities/ corruption/diversion of funds in implementation of the said schemes/ programmes have come to the notice of the Government during the said period; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor along with the action taken/ being taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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(a) to (d): In order to enhance the storage capacity for agricultural produce in the country the Government promotes construction/renovation of godowns/ warehouses in rural areas under the storage component (erstwhile Grameen Bhandaran Yojana) of Agriculture Marketing Infrastructure (AMI) sub-scheme of Integrated Scheme for Agricultural Marketing (ISAM). The scheme is credit linked, capital investment linked and with provision for back ended subsidy @ 25% and 33.33% to eligible promoters of general and special categories respectively. Currently the scheme has been temporarily stopped w.e.f. 05.08.2014 for general category promoters due to exhaustion of funds. However, the scheme continues to be open for Schedule Caste (SC)/ Schedule Tribe (ST) promoters and for all promoters in North-Eastern
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Region. As the scheme is demand driven, hence, subsidy for construction and renovation of godowns is not allocated State-wise. While so far no releases have been made in the current year (2016-17), the details of the funds released by the Government to promoters for construction/renovation of godowns/ warehouses in rural areas in various States/Union Territories under the scheme during the last three years are annexed.


(e) & (f): No, Madam. However, one case of corruption was registered in 2006 against Shri D.P. Ukey, Marketing Officer (Retired), Regional Office, Directorate of Marketing & Inspection, Mumbai, for accepting bribe. Sanction of the competent authority for prosecution was issued to Central Bureau of Investigation on 18.09.2009 and Regular Disciplinary Action for imposition of major penalty under Central Civil Service (Conduct) Rules is under process. The case is still continuing in the Special Court of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).