Ludhiana: A month after Union minister of food processing Harsimrat Kaur Badal alleged that Punjab government was purposely delaying the inauguration of Punjab Agro’s Ladhowal mega food park to devoid her of credit for the same, government officials have said 95% of the work of the park has been completed and operations are likely to be started in the next two months.A meeting of investors and government officials associated with the food park was also organised in Ludhiana.Sibin C, managing director, Punjab Agro Industries Corporation (PAIC), who presided over the meeting, briefed the investors about the facilities being provided by the Punjab government as well as the Union government to the investors in food processing sector.Sibin C said, “International level investors such as Godrej Tyson Foods, Iscon Balaji Foods and Meat Masters have completed their projects at the food park, while other investors are in the process to complete the necessary formalities after the purchase of plots. Both Punjab government as well as the Union government are committed to promote food processing sector in the state and that is why subsidies and other benefits are offered to the investors.”“Besides the Ladhowal Mega Food Park, primary processing centres are also being set up at Abohar, Hoshiarpur, Amritsar and Talwandi Sabo. The companies investing in Ladhowal Mega Food Park will also be able to get benefit of these centres,” he added.“Punjab has merely 1.5% of the total land of our country, but its contribution to the food production of country is much more than other states. For the benefit of investors, Punjab government has set up the Invest Punjab Bureau, under which all necessary permissions are granted in a quick manner. Mini Food Parks can also be set up in other districts of the state, for which a minimum of 10 acres land is required and investors should form clusters and invest in this project so that they can get maximum benefit of schemes.”During the programme, the representatives of Punjab Agricultural University assured the investors as well as the government officials of full support in technology development and crop diversification. Deputy commissioner Pradeep Kumar Agrawal who too was present in this meeting informed that the Ladhowal Bypass, constructed to connect all major cities of state with this park, is also near completion.

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