The objective of the programme is decentralisation of implementation of schemes through participation by State governments.
Under the scheme, the Centre provides 75 per cent while state's share is 25 per cent. While Centre has made a provision of Rs 22 crore, the state Cabinet today approved Rs 5.5 crore as its contribution.
The programme is the initiative of Union Food and Processing department, which is implemented from year 2012-13. Maharashtra Agriculture Industrial Development Corporation (MAIDC) has been appointed as the nodal agency for implementation of the scheme.
Under NMFP, funds will be provided to food processing industry, especially those in unorganised sector, exchange of information technology, skill development and guidance for capacity building, helping self help groups working in this field to achieve the status of small or medium scale industry, improving processing and storage capacity.
A committee headed by the Chief Secretary will monitor the progress of the schemes sanctioned under the programme, while district-level committees will be set up for grass-root level coordination.
Meanwhile, during the Cabinet meeting, Home Minister R R Patil, Dairy Development Minister Madhukar Chavan, Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Patangrao Kadam sparred over the ongoing drought relief works in the state.
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Patil complained that field electricity connections for farmers are being disconnected, which he felt could create law and order problems.
Madhukar Chavan was critical that drought relief measures were not reaching Osmanabad district in Marathwada to which Kadam retorted, saying 'instead of sitting in office and collecting information, it would be better if ministers go on field visits to take first hand information of the drought relief works'.
Intervening, Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan said he would convene a meeting of all concerned officials in the districts to take stock of the relief works and fix loopholes, if any.