The Ministry of Food Processing Industries vide its notification dated 13th January 2021 has issued clarification to certain queries raised under the scheme for integrated cold chain and value addition infrastructure.
It is clarified that the Refrigerated containers cannot be considered as cold storage under the scheme and there shall be no capping in the scheme, but the capacities proposed should be justifiable as per the viability and availability of raw material.
There shall be no minimum capacity required for associated frozen storage with IQF.
Further in case of newly formed companies for the purpose of setting up integrated cold chain projects, the net worth of the share-holders of the company would be considered in the same manner as in case of partnership firms.
A company will be treated as newly formed, if it has been formed with the objective of food business and has not commenced commercial operations as on the date of submission of application to the Ministry, which should be supported by appraisal note from the Bank/Financial Institution and in such cases Balance Sheet/Financial Statement along with Memorandum of Association filed with the RoC for each year since incorporation will be required in support of proof of non-commencement of commercial operations.
It is further clarified that Only those applicants/ promoters will be considered for financial assistance under second proposal category who have successfully operated the previously approved cold chain facility for at least two years (for General Category) and at least one year (in case of proposal from NER States and applicant(s) of SC/ST category). This period of two years/ one year, as the case may be, would be reckoned from the date of start of commercial operation, duly certified by lending bank or sanction order for final installment, whichever is earlier.
However, applicant has to fulfill the other criteria of the scheme guidelines. In case of second proposal from the existing promoter(s) who have availed grant-in-aid under the scheme, details of existing facility including technical civil work and plant & machinery should appropriately be furnished in the DPR as well as in the Bank Appraisal note.
