Shimla: To reduce post-harvest losses, improving the quality of fish and fish products and ensuring better returns to the fishing community, the state government has introduced a scheme to strengthen post-harvest infrastructure and cold-chain facilities in the fisheries sector. Under the 100 percent state-sponsored scheme, eligible beneficiaries will be provided a 70 percent subsidy for establishing 5 metric tonne cold storages, freeze-dry units and refrigerated vans across the state.
The approved unit cost has been fixed at Rs. 15 lakh for a 5 MT cold storage, Rs. 10 lakh for a freeze-dry unit and Rs. 20 lakh for a refrigerated van. The scheme will benefit Fish Farmers Producer Organizations (FFPOs), Fish Cooperative Societies, entrepreneurs, unemployed youth, self help groups, individual fishermen, fish vendors and fish farmers.
Applicants seeking assistance for setting up cold storage facilities will be required to possess suitable land or space, either owned or held on a long-term lease of at least 10 years. Preference for establishing freeze-dry units will be given to existing fish vendors. Applicants seeking assistance for refrigerated vans will be required to possess or arrange a qualified commercial driver.
The scheme will be implemented by the Fisheries department. Cold storages and freeze-dry units will be inspected at the stages of site preparation, machinery installation and trial run. Refrigerated vans will have to be registered with the Himachal Pradesh Transport Department before release of the final subsidy installment. The subsidy will be released through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) following successful completion and verification of the assets.
To ensure proper utilization of public funds, beneficiaries will be required to keep the subsidized facilities functional for a minimum period of seven years. The subsidized assets cannot be sold, leased, transferred or modified without prior approval of the Fisheries department. Quarterly functionality reports and random inspections will also be conducted to monitor the proper utilization and functioning of the infrastructure.
Priority will be accorded to new beneficiaries, particularly unemployed youth, fishermen cooperative societies and FPOs, with the aim of promoting entrepreneurship, generating employment and strengthening the blue economy of Himachal Pradesh.
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that “the initiative reflected our government’s commitment to modernizing the fisheries sector and enhancing the income of fish farmers and fishermen. Adequate cold-chain and post-harvest infrastructure would help minimize wastage, promote value addition and enable producers to secure better prices for their produce.”
The Chief Minister further stated that special emphasis would be laid on unemployed youth, cooperative societies, FPOs and fish farmers to promote entrepreneurship and create employment opportunities in the fisheries sector. He directed the concerned department to ensure transparent and timely implementation of the scheme so that its benefits reach deserving beneficiaries and contribute towards strengthening Himachal Pradesh’s blue economy.
