Govt providing financial assistance to reduce produce wastage

New Delhi, Aug 14 (UNI) The government provides financial assistance for the overall development of food processing industry to reduce the wastage of produce, the Rajya Sabha was informed here today.

This financial assistance is provided by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) under its planned schemes -- for specialised cold storages with controlled atmosphere/modified atmosphere facility and cold storage for non-horticulture produce.

In a written reply, MoFPI Minister Subodh Kant Sahai said the projects are considered for assistance, based on complete and viable proposals received from various implementing agencies.

The Ministry does not set up projects on its own, he said.

On the laws for Food Safety, Mr Sahai said the major Food Laws regulating this sector are Prevention of Food Adulteration Act (PFA), 1954 and Rules 1955; Fruit Products Order, 1955; Milk and Milk Products Order, 1992; Meat Food Products Order, 1973; Vegetables Oil Products (Control) Order, 1947; Solvent Extracted Oil, de oiled Meal, and Edible Four (Control) Order, 1967 and The Edible Oils Products (Control) Order, 1947.

Replying to a question on Food Parks in UP, he said the Ministry had approved financial assiastance for five Food Parks in Uttar Pradesh.

The Ministry has proposed a new scheme -- Integrated Food zones/ Mega Food Park -- aimed at providing integrated solutions to provide comprehensive and quality infrastructural facilities with appropriate linkages. The scheme is being developed in consultation with Planning Commission, he said.

On Modern Industries, Mr Sahai informed that the Modern Food Industry was fully disinvested to Hindustan Lever Ltd (HLL) in 2002 and it is now a 100 per cent subsidiary of HLL, and a private company. At the time of 100 per cent disinvestment in November 2002, there were 14 operational units. Subsequently, three units manufacturing supplementary nutrition foods and five bread units were closed down.

Currently, there are six operational bread units. At least 415 workmen have been relieved from the service of the company and were offered VRS benefits. However, 70 workmen of two of the supplementary nutrition food units refused to avail VRS benefits and were relieved on payment of closure compensation as per law, Mr Sahai informed the House.

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