Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) addresses questions regarding the establishment of an irradiation facility and cold storage infrastructure in Peddapalli, Telangana, under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY). The Ministry does not independently establish these facilities but provides financial assistance through grants-in-aid/subsidies for eligible projects. Proposals are invited via an open Expression of Interest, with project completion timelines varying between 24 and 30 months, depending on the area.
Key Points / Main Content:
Irradiation Facility Establishment:
* MoFPI does not independently set up irradiation facilities.
* Financial assistance is available for multi-product food irradiation units under the Cold Chain scheme of PMKSY.
* Grant-in-aid/subsidy is provided: 35% of eligible project cost in general areas and 50% in difficult areas.
* Maximum grant-in-aid/subsidy is Rs. 10.00 crore per project for SC/ST, FPOs, and SHGs.
* No state-wise, district-wise, or region-wise fund allocation, including for Peddapalli.
* An Expression of Interest is open for proposals from eligible entities nationwide, including Peddapalli.
Cold Storage and Refrigerated Transport Infrastructure:
* MoFPI does not set up food processing projects, including standalone cold storage and refrigerated transport, independently.
* Financial support is provided for food processing projects through grants-in-aid/subsidies.
* Cold storage and refrigerated transport are eligible components within individual cold chain projects under the Cold Chain scheme.
* No state-wise, district-wise, or region-wise fund allocation, including for Peddapalli.
* An Expression of Interest is open for proposals from eligible entities nationwide, including Peddapalli.
Project Timelines and Eligible Entities:
* Project completion timeline: 24 months for general areas, 30 months for difficult areas.
* Eligible entities: Central/State PSUs, Joint Ventures, NGOs, Cooperatives, Self-Help Groups, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs), Public/Private Sector Companies, Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs), partnership firms, and proprietorship firms.
Impact Analysis:
Eligible Entities (Central/State PSUs, Joint Ventures, NGOs, Cooperatives, Self-Help Groups, FPOs, FPCs, Public/Private Sector Companies, LLPs, partnership firms, and proprietorship firms):
* Impact: Can benefit from financial assistance in the form of grants-in-aid/subsidies for setting up multi-product food irradiation units and cold chain projects.
* Action Required: Respond to the Expression of Interest with a detailed project proposal to avail financial support.
Peddapalli District (Telangana):
* Impact: Potential for enhanced shelf life and export quality of agricultural products, as well as improved cold storage infrastructure, if eligible entities apply for and receive financial assistance.
* Action Required: Encourage local businesses and organizations to develop and submit proposals in response to the Expression of Interest.
SC/ST, FPOs and SHGs:
* Impact: Potential to receive a higher grant-in-aid/subsidy up to a maximum of Rs. 10.00 crore per project
* Action Required: Respond to the Expression of Interest with a detailed project proposal to avail financial support.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI): The Indian governmental ministry responsible for food processing industries.
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY): A Central Sector umbrella scheme for food processing in India.
Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure (Cold Chain scheme): A component scheme under PMKSY focused on developing cold chain infrastructure.
Peddapalli district of Telangana: A district in the state of Telangana, India, mentioned as a potential location for irradiation facilities and cold storage.
SHRI VAMSI KRISHNA GADDAM: Member of Parliament who asked the question regarding the establishment of irradiation facility in Peddapalli.
SHRI RAVNEET SINGH: The Minister of State for Food Processing Industries who provided the answer to the question.
Food Producer Organizations (FPOs): Organizations of agricultural producers in India.
Self Help Groups (SHGs): Financial intermediary commitees, usually composed of 10–20 local women.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4765
ANSWERED ON 21ST AUGUST, 2025
ESTABLISHMENT OF IRRADIATION FACILITY IN PEDDAPALLIA
4765. SHRI VAMSI KRISHNA GADDAM:
Will the Minister of FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Union Government has any plans to fund and establish an irradiation facility in
Peddapalli district of Telangana to enhance the shelf life and export quality of perishable
agricultural products such as fruits and vegetables and if so, the details thereof and if not, the
reasons therefor;
(b) whether there is any proposal to develop cold storage units and refrigerated transport
infrastructure in Peddapalli to support the storage and export of perishable items such as milk,
eggs and vegetables, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
(c) the expected timeline and implementation framework for these projects including the details of
partnerships with private players or the State Government?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
(SHRI RAVNEET SINGH)
(a): The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) does not set up irradiation facilities on its
own under the component scheme- Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure (Cold Chain
scheme) of the Central Sector umbrella scheme- Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY). As
per extant Cold Chain scheme guidelines dated 06.08.2024 specifically framed for setting up of multi
product food irradiation units, financial assistance in the form of grants-in-aid/subsidy is provided for
setting up of either standalone or integrated multi product food irradiation units @35% of the eligible
project cost in general areas and @ 50% in case of difficult areas and the proposals from SC/ST, FPOs
and SHGs subject to maximum grants-in-aid/ subsidy of Rs.10.00 crore per project. As Cold Chain
scheme is demand driven and being implemented across the country, no State-wise or district - wise or
region-wise allocation of funds including for Peddapalli district of Telangana is made. An Expression of
Interest has been floated and is open for inviting proposals from eligible entities seeking financial support
for setting up of multi product food irradiation units from across the country including Peddapalli district
of Telangana.
(b): MoFPI does not set up food processing projects on its own under any of the component schemes
of PMKSY. However, financial support in the form of grants-in-aid/ subsidy is provided for setting up
of food processing projects. Further, no standalone cold storage and refrigerated transport infrastructure
are supported under PMKSY. However, in the individual cold chain projects supported under Cold Chain
scheme, cold storage and refrigerated transport infrastructure are considered as the eligible items for
providing grants-in-aid/subsidy. As Cold Chain scheme is demand driven and being implemented across
the country, no State-wise or district –wise or region-wise allocation of fund including for Peddapalli
district of Telangana is made. Expression of Interest is floated for inviting proposals from eligible entities
seeking financial support for setting up of cold chain projects from across the country including
Peddapalli district of Telangana.
(c): The prescribed timelines for completion of cold chain projects and multi product food irradiation
units are 24 months in case of general areas and 30 months in case of difficult areas as per the extant
Cold Chain scheme guidelines dated 22.05.2025 and 06.08.2024 respectively. Any individual/ Central &
State PSU/ Joint Venture/ NGO/ Cooperative/Self Help Group/ Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO)/
Farmer Producer Company (FPC)/ Public & Private Sector Companies/ Limited Liability Partnership
(LLP) / partnership firm and proprietorship firm are the eligible entities to avail benefit under Cold Chain
scheme.
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