March 14, 2002

    Financial assistance has been provided to the States/UTs for purchase /replacement of vans/trucks to be used for PDS operations especially in remote, hilly, rural and tribal areas under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme `Purchase of Vans’.

    The assistance provided to 32 States and UTs since the inception of the scheme in 1985-86 till date stands at Rs. 6501.51 lakhs.

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