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Lok Sabha
A Scheme for running foodgrain banks in the country was implemented in 11 States by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs during the period from 1996 to 2003-04. A total number of 1483 such banks are distributing foodgrains to the poor in tribal and hilly areas and the highest number being in Orissa with 530 banks. The scheme has now been transferred to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution for review, expansion and implementation. It is proposed to permit State Governments/UT Administrations to identify the villages from among the drought prone, remote, desert, tribal and hilly areas for establishing foodgrain banks.
Under the modified scheme, provision will be made for each grain bank to store one quintal of foodgrains per family for an average of 40 families living below poverty line as one time grant by the central government with a view to provide food security. In Madhya Pradesh there are 449-grain banks and in Maharashtra 138 followed by Gujarat with 113. Andhra Pradesh has 85, West Bengal 50, Tripura 61, Bihar and Rajasthan 25 each. While Kerala has 5 foodgrain banks Tamil Nadu is running only two, according to an information given by Dr. Akhilesh Prasad Singh, Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution in Lok Sabha yesterday.
SBK:CP:lok2
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