Date:10/09/2007 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/09/10/stories/2007091050441500.htm

Back Scheme to strengthen farm produce market

Our Bureau

Thiruvananthapuram, Sept. 9 The Kerala Government is launching a scheme aimed at strengthening and modernising markets for agricultural products in the current year.

Financial assistance under the scheme is available to individuals, agricultural societies, self-help organisations, companies, corporations, co-operative societies, co-operative marketing federations and local self-government institutions, among others. Government institutions are also eligible for assistance under the scheme.

The scheme envisages payment of subsidy to the extent of 25 per cent of the capital investment. There will not be any ceiling on the maximum amount of subsidy if the scheme is implemented by Government agencies, according to a release from the Department of Agriculture.

The subsidy will also be available for taking up various modernisation works on agricultural, meat and fish markets under the control of grampanchayats, municipalities and corporations. These markets will be treated as functioning under government agency.