Subodh Kant Sahay, 58 MoS (Independent charge), Food Processing Industries

Result: 2/10

India is the world’s largest producer of fruits and vegetables, but 70 per cent of the produce (worth Rs 58,000 crore) simply rots. Sahay was passionate about changing this, but his grand plan for mega food parks with cold chain facilities barely took off.

His brief

The CMP aimed to revamp the functioning of the food processing sector and put it on the country's industrial map.

His deliveries

• The Food Safety and Standard Authority was set up recently.

• Excise duty on biscuits & food mixes abolished and duties on food processing machinery reduced.

• Created a Rs 5,000 crore fund under NABARD to boost refinancing to food processing industries; was one of the few ministries to put its Outcome Budget online.

Reforms derailed

• Though the ministry claimed that the colossal wastage in perishable commodities was reduced, nothing much really changed.

• His biggest initiative, 30 'Mega Food Parks' with Rs 250 crore investment each, was only launched in 2008. Just 10 states agreed and only one kicked off work.

• Tried to encourage industry to invest in the sector but there was little coordination with the Agriculture Ministry to chart out effective linkages between farmers and the food processing industry.

Opportunities BLOWN

• The Commerce ministry had sought to ease the export of perishable commodities by making it simpler to obtain the 16 mandatory clearances, but the idea remained on paper.

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