1. Who can apply for Assistance -
A natural person, a group of individuals or a legal person (Partnership Firm, a Trust, Cooperative Society, a Society registered under Registration of Society Act, a company, self-help group, Farmer Producers Organization, Co-operative Marketing Federations, Agricultural Produce Marketing Committees, Marketing Boards/Committees, Municipal Corporations/ Committees, Agro-Industries Corporations may apply for assistance

2. Where to Apply -
A. Physical Application on Prescribed Format: It is necessary for the applicants to fill up and submit the Application Form in prescribed fromat. Application form has to be submitted as under:

1. To respective State Office of NHB – up to the project cost of Rs 50.00 lakh
2. To NHB, HO, Gurgaon where the project cost is above Rs 50.00 lakh

However, in case of refer van/specialized transport vehicle, all the proposals shall be submitted to Head Office.

B. PNHB has introduced a system for online filing of applications on its website www.nhb.gov.in. The Homepage of the Website provides a link “Apply Online and Track Status here”.
After filing online application, applicant should take print out of his online application form. It is necessary for the applicants to fill up and submit the detailed application form in prescribed format apart from online application form.

3. Documents to be enclosed along with application form -

1. Application Form in the prescribed Format
2. Certified copy of record of right over the piece of project-land. In case of lease of land for the project a certified copy of lease deed which should be registered with the authority like office of sub-registrar etc. at the time of submission of subsidy claim.
3. Prescribed cost of application form and scheme brochure
4. Detailed Project Report (DPR)
5. Undertaking
6. Consent letter or acknowledgement of application by the lending bank, if applicable
7. Declaration in prescribed format from Mechanical Engineer. (For cold storage project only)
8. Basic Data Sheet in prescribed format in case of Cold Storage and Ripening chamber projects. This will be evaluated by NHB empanelled technical expert to confirm compliance of notified Technical Standards.

4. Protocol for Implementation of Technical Standards ( in case of Cold Storage, Ripening Chamber, Reefer Container only)
Subject to provisions of Variation Clause, only those cold storage projects that are in conformity with the prescribed technical standards will be eligible for NHB Subsidy.

5. Title of the land and copy of record of right -
The title of the piece of land on which the project is proposed to be set up should be in the name of applicant in the capacity of owner or lessee for minimum period of 10 years. In case of land leased, lease deed it should be registered with the Authority like office of Sub-Registrar, etc. A latest copy of record of right showing this fact should be enclosed with the application. Mortgaged land shall not be treated at par with lease even if the credit institution might have considered so. Similarly, Power of Attorney given by owner of land in favour of applicant shall not qualify him for benefit under the scheme. In case of Partnership Firm’s land may be hold either by Firm or jointly by its partners. In case land is owned by one of the partners, an undertaking by land owners would be required stating that he will not withdraw, sale or transfer his land during currency period of the project. In case of North East/Sikkim States , the Land Possession Certificate issued by Government to the applicant shall also qualify.

6. Cost of Application Form & Scheme Brochure:
Following is the structure for cost of application:-

7. Scrutiny Points for Application– Following scrutiny points are suggested and scrutiny point may add as per need of the case

1. Application is duly filled in all respect and signed on all pages and annexed with required/relevant papers/documents.
2. Land area under project is either ownership / lease (Registered) hold right for prescribed number of years in the name of applicant and free from any burden such as mortgage to third party
3. Crop / activity proposed is permissible under NHB scheme
4. Crop, its variety, plant density, plant matrix its proposed area and source of planting material, is clearly shown. This detail should be looked into and suitable technical advice may be given to applicant.
5. Conformity of Technical Standards in case of Cold Storage, Ripening Chamber, Reefer Container only

8. Keeping Proper Record of Applications Received -
Individual file of the case shall be maintained. Particulars of applications will also be maintained on customized software of NHB. Information shall also be available on public domain with facility to track status of project by applicant.

9. Deciding Application for Issue of LOI in request cases -
Letter of Intent (LOI) will be voluntary for the promoter and would be issued only on the request of the promoter. This will not be required for claim of subsidy.
In case, applicant request NHB for grant of LOI, NHB will consider issuance of Letter of Intent (LOI)to applicant. LOI approval shall be granted at the level of concerned Area/Field Officers as per delegation of Power within 60 days from the date of receipt of application which will be valid for a period of one year from the date of issue.

10. Important Instructions for the beneficiary -

1. Application with project cost up to Rs. 50.00 lakh may be sent to Center Incharge of the respective State as per address given at Annexure).
2. Application with project outlay above Rs.50.00 Lakh may be sent directly to Managing Director, National Horticulture Board, Plot No. 85, Sector 18, Institutional Area, Gurgaon - 122 015 (Haryana) with a copy to the concerned State Office of NHB
3. All relevant columns ofthe applications must be filled up and application should be duly signed by the beneficiary on each page.
4. Over writing should be avoided. Over writing in all cases should be duly authenticated.
5. Applicant must attach all enclosures such as proof of land records, DD towards Application fee,DPR and bank consent letter etc.
6. Applicant has to intimate the Board before effecting change of project land, crop, area, bank, etc. in the proposal before claim of subsidy
7. Components of projects not included in project proposal submitted by entrepreneur and /or not forming part of bank appraisal note is not eligible for NHB subsidy.
8. If applicant is one or few of joint owners of project land then NOC from others co-owners be submitted.
9. Incomplete project/ NPA projects and default cases shall not be eligible for subsidy and subsidy will be called back in such cases with interest.

Only those applications, which comply with the above stated conditions (Para 1 to 8), and meet the eligibility conditions, will be considered for grant of subsidy by NHB. Applicant should ensure its compliance before commencement of physical work of the project.