Cabinet approves 6,000-cr mega agro-processing scheme

Govt also brings back subsidy to states for PDS distribution of sugar to poorest families

The Cabinet on Wednesday approved a Rs 6,000 crore mega agro-processing scheme to streamline the ongoing initiatives by the government in the food processing sector.

It also decided to restore the subsidy for states to ensure sale of 1 kg of sugar at a cheaper rate to the poorest of the poor, under the public distribution system (PDS).

Targeted at being completed by 2019-20, t he SAMPADA (Scheme for Agro-Marine Processing and Development of Agro-Processing Clusters), to be administered by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries will subsume a host of other schemes under the ministry.

These include the Mega Food Parks and