Gross negligence in cold chain project, Congress jeopardizing crores of rupees in subsidies
BJP spokesperson Sandipani Bhardwaj has put the Congress government in the dock, alleging serious irregularities and administrative negligence in the Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Project being implemented under the Himachal Pradesh State Agricultural Marketing Board (HPSAMB). He said that this project was specifically designed to provide modern cold storage, grading, IQF (Individual Quick Freezing) and refrigerated transportation facilities to vegetable and horticulture producers, but due to the government’s laxity, the entire scheme is now in jeopardy.
Sandipani Bhardwaj explained that this integrated cold chain project was approved by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India, in 2020, with a central grant of ₹10 crore. The total project cost was estimated at approximately ₹60 crore, including contributions from APMCs, state agencies, and bank loans. The project included a 5,000 MT cold storage facility, a grading-sorting line, a pre-cooling chamber, an IQF plant, and refrigerated vehicles.
He stated that the Ministry repeatedly requested the necessary documents and compliance reports, but the relevant agencies failed to fulfill the requirements and upload the information on time. As a result, the project was canceled in March 2024, but later reinstated in public interest. The first and second installments of approximately ₹6.17 crore were released in January 2025, but the project remained uncompleted.
The BJP spokesperson alleged that the second phase of the project—which included IQF lines, material handling equipment, and refrigerated logistics—was reported to have suffered a funding shortfall of approximately ₹23 crore. Consequently, the IQF plant, freezing line, and refrigerated vehicles were not purchased. As a result, the entire cold chain system remained incomplete, and farmers were deprived of this facility.
He stated that on November 27, 2025, the Ministry of the Government of India issued an official show-cause notice seeking answers regarding non-implementation, clearly warning that if the conditions are not met, the project will be cancelled and the released grant amount may be withdrawn with 10% interest. This situation reflects a serious administrative failure by the state government.
Sandipani Bhardwaj specifically noted that the economy of Theog, Solan, and Sirmaur districts is heavily dependent on vegetable production. This region of Himachal is considered a major producer of off-season vegetables in the country. Due to the lack of cold chain and IQF freezing facilities, farmers were deprived of the opportunity to preserve their produce, process it, and obtain better market prices, resulting in direct economic losses.
He said that despite crores of rupees of central subsidy, bank loans and state contribution, the project remains incomplete – machinery not installed, IQF plant not operational, refrigerated logistics not ready – all this is a proof of the incompetence, negligence and anti-farmer attitude of the Congress government.
The BJP spokesperson demanded that the state government immediately issue a white paper on this entire matter, hold responsible officials and decision-makers accountable, and clarify how vegetable farmers will be compensated for their losses. He said the BJP will continue to strongly raise this issue in the interest of farmers and the public.
