Question : Value Added Fishery Products

(a) whether the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) has requested for an allocation of Rs.10.00 crore during 2013-14 for the establishment and strengthening of the Quality Control Laboratories at Bhimavaram and Nellore in Andhra Pradesh, Bhubaneswar in Odisha, and Chennai in Tamil Nadu in order to promote the production and export of the value added fishery products;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the action taken by the Government thereon;
(c) whether the Government has any plan to start more projects under MPEDA; and
(d) if so, the details thereof along with the funds earmarked for these projects?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
(SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

(a). No Madam.

(b). Does not arise.

(c). The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Govt. of India established on 20th April 1972 (13 of 1972) by an Act of the Parliament. It is entrusted with the overall development, promotion and export of fish & fishery products from the country and has been empowered to take all measures required for ensuring sustained, quality seafood exports from the country. Therefore, depending upon the need, from time to time, MPEDA proposes various plans/projects to the Department of Commerce for its administrative and financial approval wherever required.

(d). The Department of Commerce provides funds to MPEDA every year under Plan & Non Plan heads for its utilization in various export promotion projects/schemes or Non Plan activities. In the year 2016-17, the Budget Estimate (BE) for Plan funds for MPEDA is Rs. 85 Crores.
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