To address the persistent shortage of essential commodities such as potatoes, onions, tomatoes, and other fruits and vegetables, the Odisha government has sanctioned an extension of the electricity tariff subsidy for cold storage facilities. This initiative, aimed at bolstering the infrastructure for the preservation of agricultural and horticultural produce, will continue to benefit both public and private sector cold stores for an additional three years, from 2024-25 to 2026-27.
The subsidy, originally introduced under the State Potato Mission in 2015, covers 50 percent of the electricity tariff annually for operational cold storage units. Eligibility for this financial support is limited to cold stores with a minimum capacity of 500 tonnes. To qualify, the facilities must be equipped for temperature control, and capable of keeping produce either fresh or frozen. This includes establishments involved in compost production and button mushroom cultivation as well.
Furthermore, to avail of the subsidy, cold stores must demonstrate utilization of their capacity by storing potatoes or by entering into formal agreements with farmers' interest groups, farmer producer organizations, or individual farmers. The government mandates that all electricity dues, including any arrears, must be cleared by the cold store owners to qualify for the subsidy. Failure to provide storage solutions to Odisha's farmers or farmer organizations will lead to the immediate cessation of subsidy payments and initiation of recovery proceedings, as per the official notification.
Source: The New Indian Express