Lok Sabha Question No. 1082 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-05
Subject: Establishment of Food Testing Laboratories under PMKSY
Ministry: FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Ms. S Jothimani

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 1082

ANSWERED ON 0 5 TH  FEBRUARY , 2026

## ESTABLISHMENT OF FOOD TESTING LABORATORIES UNDER PMKSY

## 1082.   MS. S JOTHIMANI:

Will the Minister of FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  approved  or  proposes  to  establish  hundred  NABLaccredited food testing laboratories across country under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) during 2025-26, if so, the details thereof along with total financial outlay and implementation timeline;
- (b) the number of such laboratories sanctioned, operationalised, under implementation as on date, along with the funds released and utilised;
- (c) whether  any  locations  in  Karur  Parliamentary  Constituency,  including  Assembly segments of Karur, Manapparai, Vedasandur, Viralimalai, Aravakurichi, and Kadavur, have been identified or shortlisted for setting up these laboratories and if so, the details thereof along with the present status and timelines;
- (d) the criteria adopted for selection of locations if no such laboratory is proposed in abovementioned areas and whether proposals from Tamil Nadu, particularly Karur region, are under consideration and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the  manner  in  which  these  laboratories  would  support  farmers,  Farmer  Producer Organisations (FPOs), Self Help  Groups (SHGs), micro and small food processing units in quality testing of produce such as millets, pulses, oilseeds, milk, fruits, vegetables, seafood, facilitate compliance with FSSAI, export standards?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI RAVNEET SINGH)

(a) & (b): Under the Food Safety & Quality Assurance Infrastructure (FSQAI) Scheme, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has floated  Expression of Interest (EOI) on 21.11.2025 on SAMPADA portal of the Ministry, for the establishment of 100 NABL-accredited food-testing laboratories across the country with total financial outlay of Rs.500.00 crore. The EOI is open till 10.02.2026.  The scheme provides for a maximum financial assistance of ₹5 crore  per  project.  The  approved  projects  are  required  to  be  completed  and  made  operational within 24 months from the date of issue of the approval letter in General Areas, and within 30 months in Difficult Areas.The selection process will be undertaken after the closure of EOI.  As on date, no funds have been released or utilised against the current EOI.

(c) & (d): The FSQAI Scheme is demand-driven in nature. Proposals are invited on an all-India basis through EOIs floated from time to time on the Ministry's SAMPADA Portal. Ministry does not identify or shortlist any location for setting-up of Food Testing Laboratory on its own. The proposals received on the SAMPADA Portal will be considered on the basis of merit as per scheme guidelines including those from the Karur Parliamentary Constituency and its Assembly segments  of  Karur,  Manapparai,  Vedasandur,  Viralimalai,  Aravakurichi,  and  Kadavur,  if received.

(e): The  laboratories  will  facilitate  testing  for  food  safety  parameters,  quality  standards, contaminants, residues and microbiological parameters, thereby enabling stakeholders to comply with Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulations, as well as domestic and international export standards. Improved access to testing infrastructure is expected to reduce turnaround  time  and  costs,  enhance  market  access,  promote  value  addition,  and  support  the production of safe, high-quality food products.

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