Under the scheme, the approved unit cost has been fixed at ₹15 lakh for a 5-metric-tonne (MT) cold storage, ₹10 lakh for a freeze-dry unit and ₹20 lakh for a refrigerated van. The initiative is expected to improve post-harvest management, reduce fish wastage and strengthen the supply chain for fish and fisheries products across the state.   The scheme will cover a wide range of beneficiaries, including Fish Farmers Producer Organisations (FFPOs), fish cooperative societies, entrepreneurs, unemployed youth, self-help groups, individual fishermen, fish vendors and fish farmers.    Applicants seeking assistance for cold storage facilities must have suitable land or space, either owned or leased for a minimum period of 10 years. For freeze-dry units, preference will be given to existing fish vendors. Applicants seeking support for refrigerated vans must have, or arrange for, a qualified commercial driver.

The Fisheries Department will oversee implementation of the scheme. Cold storage and freeze-dry projects will be inspected at key stages, including site preparation, machinery installation and trial operations. Refrigerated vans must be registered with the Himachal Pradesh Transport Department before the release of the final subsidy instalment.   The subsidy will be released through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) after successful completion and verification of the assets.   To ensure that public funds are properly utilised, beneficiaries will be required to keep the subsidised facilities operational for at least seven years. The assets cannot be sold, leased, transferred or modified without prior approval from the Fisheries Department. The department will also conduct quarterly functionality reporting and random inspections to monitor the operation and utilisation of the subsidised infrastructure.  

Priority under the scheme will be given to new beneficiaries, particularly unemployed youth, fishermen cooperative societies and FPOs, with the objective of encouraging entrepreneurship, creating employment opportunities and strengthening Himachal Pradesh’s fisheries value chain.

The initiative is expected to provide much-needed post-harvest infrastructure for the state’s fishery sector while supporting better storage, processing and transportation facilities and contributing to the development of Himachal Pradesh’s blue economy.