(a) whether the Government is implementing the food for work scheme in different States;
(b) if so, the amount so far spent for this scheme;
(c) whether any requests have been received from State Governments to increase the quota of foodgrains under the scheme;
(d) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
(e) the action taken by the Government thereon; and
(f) the extent to which this proposal is likely to be helpful in reducing the over-flowing of foodgrains in FCI godowns?
MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI M. VENKAIAH NAIDU)
(a) & (b) The Food for Work Programme is being implemented in the 11 States namely, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa and Rajasthan. During the year 2000-2001 an amount of Rs. 300 crores has been spent for implementing of the programme. During the current financial year an amount of Rs. 1100.00 crores has been allocated for this programme.
(c) to (e) No quota has been fixed for the States. Foodgrains are released on the basis of demand received from the States.
(f) 28.63 lakh tonnes of foodgrains have been released, so far, to the States under the Scheme. Out of this 22.46 lakh tonnes of foodgrains have been lifted from the FCI godowns for distribution to the workers.