Four model salt farms have been set up in Gujarat by Central Salt and Marine Chemical Research Institute (CSMCRI) with the help of NGOs and the State Government. The Central Government received a request from the Government of Gujarat in February, 2012 suggesting Central Government funding for various activities related to salt industry and workers including model salt farms. In the absence of any concrete and specific proposal, no decision could be taken. The State Government has been informed. The Central Government has sanctioned three model salt farms at Nawa in Rajasthan, Ganjam in Odisha and Markanam in Tamil Nadu, in collaboration with the CSMCRI and respective State Governments. For such projects, one-third financial assistance is given by the Central Government and the remaining amount is to be shared by the respective State Government and CSMCRI. In respect of model salt farm in Markanam in Tamil Nadu, two-third of the cost is being borne by the Salt Commissioner’s Organisation (SCO) and the remaining one-third of the cost by CSMCRI. The information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry Nirmala Sitharaman in Rajya Sabha today.