Krishi UDAN 2.0 Scheme

Q Why is it in News ?

A The Union Minister of Civil Aviation has launched Krishi UDAN 2.0.

Q What is Krishi UDAN 2.0 ?

A 

• The scheme proposes to facilitating and incentivizing movement of Agri-produce by air transportation.
• It lays out the vision of improving value realization through better integration and optimization of Agri-harvesting and air transportation.
• It works by contributing to Agri-value chain sustainability and resilience under different and dynamic conditions.
• It will be implemented at 53 airports across the country mainly focusing on Northeast and tribal regions and is likely to benefit farmer, freight forwarders and Airlines.

Q What are some key highlights of the scheme ?

A 

• Facilitating and incentivizing movement of Agri-produce by air transportation: Full waiver of Landing, Parking, TNLC and RNFC charges for Indian freighters and P2C at selected Airports. Primarily, focusing on NER, Hilly, and tribal regions.
• Strengthening cargo-related infrastructure at airports and off airports: Facilitating the development of a hub and spoke model and a freight grid.
• Concessions sought from other bodies: Seek support and encourage States to reduce Sales Tax to 1% on aviation fuels for freighters / P2C aircraft as extended in UDAN flights.
• Resources-Pooling through establishing Convergence mechanism: Collaboration with other government departments and regulatory bodies.
• Technological convergence: Development of E-KUSHAL (Krishi UDAN for Sustainable Holistic Agri-Logistics).

Q What is E-KAUSHAL?

A 

• It is a platform to be developed to facilitate information dissemination to all the stakeholders.
• This will be a single platform that will provide relevant information at the same time will also assist in coordination, monitoring and evaluation of the scheme.
• Furthermore, integration of E-KUSHAL with the National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) is proposed.

Q Which Airports are  under the scheme ?

A 

Q Which are the  focus routes & products ?

A