NEW DELHI, July 31:
The Union Cabinet on Thursday increased the budgetary outlay for the flagship scheme Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) by Rs 1,920 crore to Rs 6,520 crore to boost the food processing sector.
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The enhanced funds, to be provided this fiscal, will be utilised for 50 multi-product food irradiation units and 100 food testing labs.
The decision in this regard was taken in the meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“The outlay of PMKSY has been increased to Rs 6,520 crore,” I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told reporters after Cabinet decisions.
PMKSY, launched in 2017, was extended for one more year till the end of the current 2025-26 fiscal with an allocation of Rs 4,600 crore.
On Thursday, the Cabinet decided to enhance the allocation by Rs 1,920 crore to implement the 2024-25 budget announcement to set up 50 multi-product food irradiation units and 100 food testing labs.
Out of which, about Rs 1000 crore will be used for setting up 50 multi-product food irradiation units under the component scheme ICCVAI (Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure) and 100 labs under the component scheme FSQAI (Food Safety and Quality Assurance Infrastructure) of the PMKSY.
About Rs 920 crore will be used for sanctioning projects under various component schemes of PMKSY during the 15th Finance Commission Cycle (2021-22 to 2025-26).
Both ICCVAI and FSQAI are demand-driven component schemes of PMKSY.
In a separate statement, the government said the Expression of Interests (EOIs) would be floated for inviting proposals from eligible entities across the country. The proposals received against the EOI would be approved after proper scrutiny as per the eligibility criteria under the extant scheme guidelines.
The implementation of the proposed 50 multi-product food irradiation units is expected to create a total preservation capacity, ranging from 20 to 30 lakh tonne per annum, based on the type of food products irradiated under these units.
The setting up of the proposed 100 NABL-accredited food testing laboratories under the private sector will lead to the development of advanced infrastructure for testing food samples, thereby ensuring compliance with food safety standards and the supply of safe food.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved four projects of the Railway Ministry worth approximately Rs. 11,169 crore, an official release said on Thursday.
Talking about the expansion of rail network through these projects, the Government said these four projects covering 13 districts across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha and Jharkhand will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by about 574 km.
These new projects are a fourth line between Itarsi and Nagpur, doubling of railway line between Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar) and Parbhani, construction of third and fourth line between Aluabari Road and New Jalpaiguri as well as Dangoaposi and Jaroli.
“The increased line capacity will significantly enhance mobility, resulting in improved operational efficiency and service reliability for Indian Railways. These multi-tracking proposals are poised to streamline operations and alleviate congestion,” the release said.
According to the Government, the projects are planned on PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan with focus on enhancing multi-modal connectivity and logistic efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultations as these projects will provide seamless connectivity for movement of people, goods, and services.
“The proposed multi-tracking project will enhance connectivity to approx. 2,309 villages, which are having a population of about 43.60 lakh,” it said.
Meanwhile, the Union Cabinet also approved a Rs 2,000 crore grant-in-aid to National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) for four years, a move that will help the organisation to mobilise more funds for lending.
The decision in this regard was taken in the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs.
“To further support a good financial model, the Cabinet approved the capital grant-in-aid of Rs 2,000 crore for NCDC for four years,” I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told reporters.
NCDC gives loans to more than 8.25 lakh cooperatives, having 29 crore members. Out of the total members, 94 per cent are farmers.
With this financial aid, NCDC will be able to mobilise additional Rs 20,000 crore for further lending, the Minister said.
Currently, NCDC has a 99.8 per cent loan recovery rate and zero NPA, he added. (PTI)
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