**Summary:**
Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3219, addressed to the Minister of Civil Aviation on August 7, 2025, inquired about the implementation of the Krishi Udaan scheme in Amritsar. Specifically, it questioned the reasons for its lack of active implementation, the potential for special incentives or air freight subsidies for exporters, and the aim of making Amritsar an agri-export hub.
The Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation clarified that Krishi Udaan is a convergence scheme involving eight Ministries/Departments. Its primary objective is to provide seamless, cost-effective, and time-bound air transportation and logistics for agricultural produce, including horticultural, fishery, livestock, and processed products, especially from the Northeast, hilly, and tribal regions, to improve value realization.
To facilitate the movement of agri-produce, the scheme offers waivers on Landing charges and Parking charges for Indian freighters and Passenger-to-Cargo Aircraft at selected Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Ministry of Defence airports. Furthermore, Route Navigation Facility Charges (RNFC) and Terminal Navigational Landing Charges (TNLC) are waived at selected AAI airports. The scheme encompasses 58 airports across the country, with a focus on 25 airports in the North Eastern, Hilly, and Tribal regions, and 33 airports in other regions/areas. Amritsar Airport in Punjab is included under the scheme.
Key Entities Referenced
Krishi Udaan Scheme: A convergence scheme by multiple ministries to improve value realization for agri-produce through air transportation and logistics.
Shri Gurjeet Singh Aujla: Member of Parliament who raised the question about the Krishi Udaan Scheme in Lok Sabha.
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The government ministry responsible for civil aviation policies and regulations.
Shri Murlidhar Mohol: Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation who provided the answer to the question.
Department of Agriculture Farmers' Welfare: One of the departments involved in the Krishi Udaan Scheme.
Amritsar Airport, Punjab: An airport in Punjab included under the Krishi Udaan Scheme.
Airports Authority of India (AAI): An organisation that provides Landing charges and Parking charges waiver for freighters under Krishi Udan Scheme.
Punjab: State in India that is intended to be an agri export hub to enhance farmer's income
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 3219
th
(To be answered on the 7 August 2025)
KRISHI UDAN SCHEME FOR AMRITSAR
3219. SHRI GURJEET SINGH AUJLA
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) the reasons for not actively implementing the Krishi Udaan scheme in
Amritsar despite its strategic border location/agricultural output;
(b) whether the Government proposes to introduce special incentives or air
freight subsidies for exporters in the region to boost the local economy and if
so, the details thereof;
(c) whether it is true that this initiative is aimed to make Amritsar an agri-
export hub to enhance farmers' income, promote organic produce and unlock
the full potential of Punjab's agro-economy; and
(d) if so, the details thereof along with the formulation of specific plan in this
regard?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)
(a) to (d) The Krishi Udan is a convergence scheme of various intiatives by
eight Ministries/Departments namely Ministry of Civil Aviation, Department
of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Department of Animal Husbandry and
Dairying, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Food Processing Industries,
Department of Commerce, Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Ministry of
Development of North-Eastern. The purpose of the Scheme is to ensure
seamless, cost effective, time-bound air transportation and associated logistics
for all Agri-produce including horticultural produce, fishery, livestock, and
processed products originating especially from Northeast, hilly and tribal
regions of the country, so that it improves their value realisation.
In order to facilitate and incentivise movement of agri-produce by air
transportation, waiver of Landing charges, Parking charges are provided for
Indian freighters and P2C (Passenger-to-Cargo) Aircraft by Airports
Authority of India (AAI) and Ministry of Defence at selected airports underKrishi Udan Scheme. In addition, Route Navigation Facility Charges (RNFC)
and Terminal Navigational Landing Charges (TNLC) are waived off at the
selected AAI airports.
The Scheme covers 58 airports in the country, primarily focusing on 25
airports in North Eastern,Hilly and Tribal region besides 33 airports in other
regions/areas. Amritsar Airport in Punjab is included under the Scheme.
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