Aiming at boosting food processing industry in the State, Punjab Government has decided to waive off External Development Charges (EDC) for the upcoming food parks.
The decision was taken by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Tuesday while presiding over a high level meeting to review the status of implementation of mega food parks approved by the Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries.
Badal underscored the need of exempting food parks from the EDC so as to give fillip to the food processing industry on one hand and opening new avenues for the farmers of the State, on the other.
He said that the food parks could act as a game changer for the State’s farmers by offering them handsome returns of their produce besides promoting food processing and cold chain industry in the State, and thrust must be laid on the development of these food parks to immensely benefit the farmers.
“Exemption from payment of EDC on purchase of land for the upcoming food parks will facilitate their setting in the State,” he said.
Badal also laid thrust that these mega food parks must ensure highest levels of pollution control norms. “These food parks must set up zero liquid discharge technologies or facilities to check environmental pollution,” he clarified.
The Chief Minister also appreciated the steps initiated for setting up of Mega Food Parks at ladhowal, ludhiana, by Punjab Agro Industries Corporation and at Rehana Jattan village, Phagwara, by M/s Sukhjit Starch and Chemicals limited, a private sector company.
In another significant decision, the State Government also decided to provide State guarantee to Punjab Agro Industrial Corporation (PAIC) for availing term loan from NABARD for ladhowal Mega Food Park.
