Question : COLD STORAGES

(a) whether many of the Cold Storages are geared or designed for a particular product which are kept for a limited period of time only;

(b) whether there is any proposal to modify the existing Cold Storages with many chambers for utilizing the full capacity throughout the year;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) if not, the reasons therefor;

(e) whether the Government have evaluated the actual requirement of the cold storage and the need to have more number thereof; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI HUKUMDEO NARAYAN YADAV)

(a) to (f): It is true that prior to 9.6.2000 most of the cold storages in country were single chambered and commodity specific only. However, since then National Horticulture Board (NHB) under its scheme `Capital Investment Subsidy Scheme for Construction/Expansion/Modernization of cold storages and storages for Horticulture Produce`, provides back-ended capital investment subsidy for creation of multi-chambered, multi-purpose cold storages. NHB has provided back-ended capital investment subsidy, till 31.10.2002, amounting to Rs.192.81 crores to 604 projects creating fresh capacity of 27.37 lakh tonnes.

The High Level Expert Committee on Cold Storage and Storage in its report submitted, in February 1999, to the Ministry of Agriculture had identified creation/expansion of 12 lakh tonnes during next five years and also to rehabilitate/modernize 8 lakh tonnes of cold storage capacity lying closed. Based on the recommendations of the Committee report the aforesaid scheme of the NHB was formulated and is under implementation.