The ministry of food processing industries (MoFPI) has issued operational guidelines for the scheme of integrated cold chain and value addition under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojna (PMKSY). These guidelines were made effective by March 1, 2018.
Sixty cold chains will be built under the scheme. These, together with the other scheme of cold chain development (wherein 240 cold chains are under consideration), put the number at 300.
The revised guidelines will be applicable to the Expression of Interest (EoI) issued by the ministry for taking up new integrated cold chain projects prospectively under the PMKSY.
Under the guidelines, infrastructure, including the facilities at the farm level, distribution hub, refrigerated vans, irradiation facilities, etc. will be eligible for grant-in-aid. Maximum grant-in-aid would be Rs 10 crore per project.
The guidelines and assistance for the schemes will be provided. The ministry will soon invite applications for the setting up of cold chain under PMKSY