The Ministry of Food Processing on Friday said it has taken various steps to facilitate speedy implementation of mega food parks and make them operational.

In a reply to a question in Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Food Processing Industries Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti said the Centre had sanctioned setting up of 30 mega food parks in three phases in the 11th Five Year Plan, for creation of modern infrastructure for food processing industries.

“Out of 10 projects approved in the first phase by the Ministry, six ‘Mega Food Park’ projects have become operational, two are under implementation, and two projects have been cancelled,” an official statement added.

In the second phase, five mega food park projects were approved, out of which one has become operational, two are under implementation and two have been cancelled. In the 3rd Phase, out of 15 projects approved by the Ministry, nine projects are under implementation and six projects have been cancelled.

Amendments The Ministry has made amendments in the scheme of mega food parks and its guidelines to remove bottlenecks in implementation of these projects.

Funds for projects In addition, State governments and the Ministry of Finance have been requested to provide fiscal incentives to these projects. Also, banks and financial institutions have been asked to expedite sanction of term loans for the projects.

“A special fund of ₹2,000 crore has been created by the Centre, with NABARD to provide affordable credit to mega food parks and entrepreneurs setting up units in these parks,” the statement added.

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