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Lying closed for the past two decades, 18 government cold storages across state will finally earn some revenue for the exchequer. The Uttar Pradesh Co-operative Department, headed by minister Shivpal Yadav, has decided to sell the land on which the cold storages stand to generate around Rs 250 crore.
Many of such cold storages now fall in city limits in respective districts rendering the land being priced at a premium.
Officials informed that IFFCO — Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited — has shown interest in purchasing these closed cold storages. Shivpal’s son Aditya Yadav, who is the chairman of Pradeshik Cooperative Federation, is also a director in IFFCO representing Uttar Pradesh.
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“A decision has been taken to sell these cold storages. It has also been cleared by law department and soon we will be sending it for clearance from the state cabinet” Shailesh Krishna, Principal Secretary, Co-operative, said. The buildings were constructed to store potato and other agricultural produce on subsidised rates. With passage of time, they ran into losses and eventually were closed.
“It is not viable to run them due to high power tariff. They have been lying shut for nearly two decades. The buildings are dilapidated and most are left with just the debris. But, the land is costly and will fetch good pric”,” added Krishna.
These cold storages are situated in potato belt in districts such as Kannauj, Shikohabad, Ferozabad, Agra, Etah, Faizabad and others. They were constructed by state government agency – Processing and Construction Cooperative Federation (PACSFED) – and handed over to the co-operative societies for functioning.
Co-operative Department reportedly has put some riders for selling these cold storages — it will sell them only to government, government-owned institutions or other co-operative bodies. The rate charged will be as per the local circle rate. “
“IFFCO has shown interest in purchasing these cold storages due to the vast piece of land associated with them. We hope to earn nearly Rs 250 crore from this de”l,” Krishna said.
The co-operative department claimed that it will conduct a survey of the cold storages and their land. Once satisfied that the land cannot be used for any other project, it will be allowed for sale. Some of the cold storages are now within city limits and have high price tag and will be sought after by housing construction agencies.
The department has already sold its land in Meerut for Rs 8 crore, which was purchased by a local co-operative bank.
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