JK Completes Two Cold Chain Projects with 100 Per Cent Fund Utilisation under PMKSY

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has achieved full fund utilisation for its integrated cold chain and value addition infrastructure projects under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY), according to figures tabled in the Rajya Sabha.

Minister of State for Food Processing Industries Ravneet Singh told the House that since the inception of PMKSY’s cold chain scheme in 2016–17, two projects have been approved for JK, both of which have been completed and operationalised. The total approved central grant for these projects was Rs 7.46 crore, and the same amount has been disbursed, making the UT one of the few regions in the country to record 100 per cent utilisation.

The cold chain scheme supports the creation of infrastructure for integrated cold chains and value addition from the farm gate to the consumer, including facilities for pre-cooling, sorting, grading, packaging, refrigerated transport, and cold storage.

While JK has performed well on execution and fund use, the neighbouring Union Territory of Ladakh has not yet had a single project approved under the scheme. The Ministry said the cold chain initiative is demand-driven, with no state-wise quota, and that awareness campaigns, Expression of Interest calls, and publicity through media are used to encourage applications from entrepreneurs across all states and UTs.

Nationally, 269 projects have been approved under the scheme, of which 169 have been completed and operationalised. The Centre has released Rs 1,535.63 crore against approved grants of Rs 2,066.33 crore so far.