Harsimrat Bags Compliments From Speaker Lok Sabha For To The Point Answers
Assures To Setup Mega Food Park For ‘Bikaneri Bhujia’
5 Dariya News
New Delhi 08-Jul-2014
Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Hon. Minister Food Processing Industries today bagged Hon’ble Speaker’s praises in the Lok Sabha on her apt and to-the-point replies. Hon’ble Speaker Smt. Sumitra Mahajan complimented her from the Chair of the Lok Sabha. It is generally very rare that one gets appreciation from the Hon’ble Speaker.Today was the maiden day of Mrs. Badal as Minister of Food Processing Industries to reply to her Parliamentarian colleagues and her replies were well received and taken by the House.In reply to question raised by Mr. Arjun Meghwal, Member Parliament from Bikaner for simplification of procedure and conditions for the setting up Mega Food Park, the Minister said there were 30 proposals out of which 13 were got sanctioned in last three years. She said it was the state matter to provide CLU for Mega Food Park since there was a mandatory condition of at least 50 acres of land for thiS purpose and this big chunk of land was not easily available. She said such exercises took lot of time but the Ministry will definitely look into the further simplification of procedures. She also assured that Bikanere Bhujia will also include in the list of Mega Food Park in next approval of applications.
Replying to the query of MP from Guna constituency Mr. Jyotiraditya Madhavrao Scindia about 40 percent food wastage and huge potential in Food Processing, Mrs. Badal informed that a study conducted by Central Institute of Post Harvest Engineering and Technology (CIPHET) reveals 6.8 percent to 18 percent wastage was recorded in perishable fruits and veggies. She said Ministry has taken it as Mission to reduce 50 percent wastage in next two years. She said NDA was committed to achieve complete success in Food Processing area and we are launching ‘Hub and Spoke model’ to bring revolution in this area.
On the suggestion of Mr. Scindia to double the amount of subsidy from Rs. 50 crore to Rs. 100, Mrs. Badal said that the financial status has not been left in such a condition that we would do things that we would love to do. So, soon as the funds situation will put on the right track, NDA will sure look into it.Answering a query raised by Mr. Dushyant Chautala for any agenda of centre to setup any plant in Hisar, Mrs. Badal informed that the Scheme for setting up New Mega Food Park is open till July 31st and people can submit their Expression of Interest. She said Center can also contemplate to extend the last date of the scheme.On the question of Nizamabad MP Kavitha Kalvakuntla for delay in setting up of mega food park in her constituency for the last 7 years even after acquiring 380 acres of land, Mrs. Badal responded that there were several stages to get the project clear. She said if the final final approval was still pending, it means that either funds have not been tied up or the land was not there in that unit of 50 acres. As soon as all the options are cleared, the grant is released.