Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation (JKHPMC) has issued a clarification following media reports about the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority’s (APEDA) demand for a refund of funds released for the stalled Integrated Pack House and Cold Chamber Storage Project at Chowdrigund in Shopian, saying a revival plan has already been prepared to complete the facility.
In its clarification, JKHPMC said the refund issue needed to be considered in the context of the proposed revival of the project, which was conceived in 2005 with APEDA assistance but remained incomplete despite repeated extensions.
The corporation attributed the delay to frequent changes in the project site and design, along with defaults by the executing contractor. It said action had been taken against the contractor, including blacklisting and legal proceedings.
JKHPMC said it had undertaken a fresh technical assessment and prepared a plan to upgrade the facility, as the technology envisaged when the project was conceived had become outdated.
The proposed revival involves an investment of around ₹20 crore from the Jammu and Kashmir government’s capital expenditure budget. The corporation said the required funds would be projected in the budget estimates for the ensuing financial year.
The upgraded facility is proposed to include a grading, packing and waxing line with a capacity of five metric tonnes per hour and a controlled-atmosphere storage facility of approximately 2,000 metric tonnes. Existing infrastructure would be used wherever technically feasible.
Regarding APEDA’s refund demand, JKHPMC said the matter would be taken up with the Government of India under Clause 18 of the project memorandum of understanding dated July 15, 2005, for consideration in light of the proposed revival and the commitment to complete the facility using J&K government resources.
The corporation said the completed facility would improve post-harvest handling, reduce losses and enable apple growers in Shopian and adjoining areas to store and market their produce beyond the peak harvesting season. It is also expected to generate local employment.
JKHPMC maintained that its priority was to revive the stalled project and upgrade the infrastructure to meet present-day requirements of the horticulture sector.