Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha inaugurated 12 Controlled Atmosphere (CA) Store projects worth Rs. 368.35 Crore at Industrial Growth Centre, Lassipora, Pulwama.
In his address, the Lt Governor dedicated the new CA stores to the farming community. 44 CA Stores having capacity of 185843 MTs stand established in Kashmir Division and are already in production. The new CA stores will add 59000 MTs to the existing capacity and will prove to be a boon to the farmers and fruit growers, he said.
About 259 CA Store projects are in pipeline. These CA storage facilities will significantly extend the shelf life of fresh produce and reduce post-harvest losses, the Lt Governor said.
The Lt Governor invited the Business community to invest in the establishment of CA Stores and contribute in increasing the capacity that will benefit both the farmers and associated stakeholders.
Due to J&K’s demography and climatic conditions, CA Store is the most assured, profitable and secured business. Sustained efforts of the government in this sector is providing entrepreneurship opportunities and enabling large-scale employment generation, he said.
Further, the implementation of projects under Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) will increase the productivity in agriculture and allied sectors that also require more Controlled Atmosphere storage, the Lt Governor added.
At the inaugural ceremony, the Lt Governor shared the reforms and policies of the UT Administration to encourage new investment and nurture the existing industries.
We are grateful to Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji for the Industrial Development Scheme which has stimulated the industrial growth in the UT of J&K, he said.
Since its implementation, Jammu Kashmir has received investment proposals worth Rs 86,624 crore and emerged as a favorite investment destination for industries, he added.
Sh Vikramjit Singh, Commissioner Secretary Industries & Commerce department highlighted the efforts of the administration to promote Industries and Business activities in J&K UT.
In the presence of Lt Governor, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Central Public Works Department and SIDCO for development of 6 new industrial estates in the UT.
The Lt Governor handed over certificates to the owners to CA Stores and also released a compendium of Industries and Commerce Department.
Earlier, the Lt Governor visited the Koh-e-Noor CA Store and inspected the facilities at the 5000 MT capacity store.
Sh Vijay Kumar, ADGP Kashmir; Sh Baldev Prakash, MD and CEO J&K Bank; Sh Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; senior officers of UT administration and officer bearers of Lassipora Industrial Estate and members of Chamber of Commerce were present.
