(a) whether the Government`s attention has been drawn to the news-item captioned `Gareebon ko ration vitran nahin karne wale rojgar ki khadyann subsidy band hogi` appearing in the Hindustan dated January 21, 2001;
(b) the States which are not distributing ration to poor and the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Government propose to stop the subsidy to such States; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and the time by which it will be stopped?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION ( SHRI SRIRAM CHAUHAN )
(a) Yes, Sir.
(b) Government have received no such information.
(c) & (d) : Government does not provide subsidy directly to any State Government except
those who have agreed to undertake procurement of foodgrains i.e. wheat and rice under the
decentralised scheme of procurement. Presently, Governments of West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh
and Uttar Pradesh only undertake procurement and distribution of foodgrains under the
decentralised procurement scheme. Payment of subsidy has not been stopped to them. However,
since the current financial year is about to close, these State Governments have been requested
to furnish the utilisation certificates to enable the Department to clear their remaining
claims.