Submission date for Mega Food Parks extended to March 10 by MoFPI

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has extended the last date of submission of proposals for setting up of Mega Food Parks until 10th March, 2021. The MoFPI has released a notice regarding this stating the postponement of the deadline from 3rd to 10th March.

“Interested stakeholders, parties may submit their proposal on or before 5pm on March 10, 2021,” says the notice.

In February, the ministry had invited proposals for the 10th phase for installaton of mega parks in the nation under the Mega Food Parks scheme of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojna (PMSKY), and requested the interested ones to submit the proposals by 3rd March.

The Ministry invited proposals and Expression of Interest (EOI) from potential promoters under the Mega Food Park Scheme for setting up Mega Food Parks anywhere in the nation. The EoI issued on 3rd Feb, 2021, for establishment of Mega Food Park was not specifically for uncovered states.

The terms and conditions of the proposal remained similar including a minimum land requirement of 50 acre of contiguous land free from any kind of encumbrance. The selection of land needs to be justified in terms of connectivity and availability of basic infrastructure like approach roads, power, and water as well as in terms of availability of raw materials/market.

“Only food processing industries/units that make food products fit for human and animal consumption are allowed to be set up in the Mega Food Parks. Packaging facilities of food products as ancillary to the food processing industries will also be given permission for setting up in the Mega Food Parks. However, setting up of an alcoholic beverage unit as an anchor unit will not be allowed and the time schedule for completion and operationalization of the project will be of 30 months from the date of issue of final approval letter unless extended (with reasons),” state the specifications set by the ministry.

As per the MoFPI, 22 Mega Parks are functional while 15 are under implementation and two mega parks were given in-principle consent.