Centre approves 20 projects for J

Srinagar, July 4 (UNI) The Centre has approved 20 projects for Jammu and Kashmir involving an assistance of more than Rs 22 crore, an official spokesman said today.

The projects have been approved by the Union Food Processing Industries Ministry, he added.

The spokesman said the Ministry has sanctioned an assistance for setting up of three food parks in the state -- one each at Khunmoh, Sopore and Jammu -- worth Rs 11.46 crore.

It has also provided Rs one crore for setting up of quality control laboratory in the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences. An assistance of Rs 1.45 crore has been provided for one major packaging unit of tetra-pack juices.

In case of AEZ for apples, he said the exports of apples have been worth Rs 15.71 crore in 2002-03, Rs 13.17 crore in 2003-04 and Rs 26.30 crore in 2004-05. The total exports were around 55.18 crore, the spokesman added.

Similarly, in case of AEZ for walnuts, he said the exports have been Rs 121.21 crore in 2002-03, Rs 99.30 crore in 2003-04 and Rs 92.80 crore in 2004-05. The total exports were Rs 313.30 crore.

The Ministry has approved Rs 19.40 lakh (Mini Mission IV) as financial assistance for preparation of detailed project reports under the Prime Minister's Reconstruction Plan for the state.

The spokesman said the projects were fruit processing unit at Jammu, infrastructure development for mushroom and spawn at Jammu, solar drying dehydration in Ladakh, controlled atmosphere store in Delhi and upgradation of fruit processing plant at Sopore in Valley.

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