Financial Assistance for Setting Up of Cold Storage

The "Financial Assistance for Setting Up of Cold Storage" scheme, introduced by the Pondicherry Industrial Promotion Development and Investment Corporation Limited (PIPDIC) together with the Department of Industries & Commerce, Puducherry, is designed to aid the creation of cold storage infrastructure throughout the area. Financial support is extended to a range of eligible applicants, such as Proprietary/Partnership Concerns, Public/Private Limited Companies, Co-operative Societies, Market Committees, Boards, and Agro Industries Corporations.

This funding initiative aims to strengthen infrastructure for perishable items, cut down on post-harvest losses, and improve the efficiency of the agricultural supply chain in Puducherry. It enables businesses and organisations to invest in essential cold chain facilities, which supports regional economic growth and food security. Applications are submitted entirely online, simplifying the process and making it straightforward for eligible parties to obtain the required financial assistance.

1. Registration and Profile Creation: Go to the PIPDIC website and select the "Login" option. Under the "Login" menu, choose the "New customer" link. You must enter a unique username, a valid email address, create a password, and complete a captcha verification before clicking the "Register" button.
2. Email Verification and Login: Following registration, log in using your registered email address. An One-Time Password (OTP) will be sent to this email for verification. Enter the OTP you receive and click "Login" to access your personalised customer dashboard.
3. Profile Update: After a successful login, updating your customer profile is compulsory. Locate the "Edit Profile" option, usually found in the top right corner of the dashboard. Fill in all required personal and business details accurately and click "Submit" to save the updated profile.
4. Access Loan Application Form: To start the loan application for the cold storage scheme, navigate from your customer dashboard by clicking the "Applications" tab, which will direct you to the relevant application forms.
5. Review Checklist and Accepting Terms: A pop-up window will appear with a detailed checklist covering General Terms and Conditions, interest rate structure, investigation fees, and collateral security norms. Read through this checklist carefully, ensure all requested documents are ready, and then click the "I Agree" button to move to the main application form.
6. Filling the Loan Application Form: Complete the multi-step online application form. Provide correct and precise details in all mandatory fields at each required stage of the application.
7. Declaration and Submission: Before finalising the application, read and explicitly consent to the comprehensive declaration included in the form. This declaration typically confirms the truthfulness of information, absence of unauthorised borrowing arrangements, and consent to verification. Finally, tick the "I agree to terms" checkbox and click the "Submit" button for the main application form.
8. Promoter Bio-Data and Document Upload: The system will then prompt you to enter the biodata of the Promoter, Partner, or Director. This is generally a multi-step process. Upload the necessary KYC documents and other supporting files by clicking the "Choose File" button next to each specified field.
9. Application Fees Payment: Once the entire application, including bio-data and document submissions, is complete, you will be asked to pay the applicable application fee. If you opt for online payment, the system will automatically redirect you to a payment summary page where you can verify your details and complete the transaction.
10. Receiving and Saving Payment Receipt: After the payment is successfully processed, you will be redirected back to the PIPDIC website, where a receipt for the application fee will be generated. It is advisable to print this receipt or save it as a PDF on your computer for future reference and record-keeping.
11. Application Status Tracking: After submission, you can track the status of your application, which will initially display a status such as 'UNDER REVIEW', by clicking the "View My application" link on the dashboard and selecting the relevant loan application from the drop-down menu.

Applications are submitted online and first reviewed by PIPDIC. Although the scheme does not publish detailed selection criteria, evaluation is expected to consider the viability of the proposed cold storage project, the applicant's financial position, compliance with all scheme guidelines, and the completeness of the documentation submitted. Shortlisted applicants may then be subject to additional due diligence or verification before the loan is finally approved and sanctioned.