New Delhi, July 31 (UNI) The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, today approved Rs 6,520 crore for the ongoing Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) during the 15th Finance Commission Cycle (2021-22 to 2025-26).
The sum includes an additional allocation of Rs 1,920 crore for ongoing projects under the scheme, as per an official statement here.
The approval comprises Rs 1,000 crore to support the establishment of 50 multi-product food irradiation units under the Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure (ICCVAI) component, and 100 NABL-accredited Food Testing Laboratories (FTLs) under the Food Safety and Quality Assurance Infrastructure (FSQAI) component of PMKSY. This move aligns with recent budget announcements, said the statement.
Further, Rs 920 crore has been sanctioned for new projects under various other components of the PMKSY during the 15th Finance Commission Cycle.
Both ICCVAI and FSQAI are demand-driven schemes under PMKSY. To invite proposals, Expression of Interests (EOIs) will be floated across the country targeting eligible entities. Submissions will be scrutinised and approved based on extant scheme guidelines and eligibility criteria.
The implementation of the 50 multi-product food irradiation units is expected to add a preservation capacity ranging from 20 to 30 lakh metric tonnes annually, depending on the nature of the food products processed, said the statement.
The establishment of 100 NABL-accredited food testing laboratories in the private sector will bolster infrastructure for advanced food testing, ensuring compliance with safety standards and enhancing the supply of safe food products nationwide, it said.
