November 29, 2001

'39'

        Government has been implementing a Central Sector Scheme of Grain Banks in tribal villages since 1996-97 in 13 States. Recently, the Standing Committee of Union Ministers and Chief Ministers on Food Management and Agriculture Export has recommended to expand the village Grain Bank Scheme with some modifications in all those endemic prone and migration prone areas with concentration of tribal population and also in other tribal areas. It has been proposed to expand the scheme in non-tribal areas, if need be at a later stage.

        The revised Scheme is aimed at covering 1.14 lakh tribal villages throughout the country in the first phase with an estimated cost of Rs. 1066 crore. The cash component under the Scheme is Rs. 66 crore to be disbursed to the States for storage bins, expenditure on lifting of foodgrains etc. under the scheme. The foodgrains are to be supplied to the States on their demand through the FCI. The revised Scheme is yet to be approved by Government.

        This information was given in Rajya Sabha today by the Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri Ashok Pradhan in a written reply.