Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
Friday, Feb 07, 2003
Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications Friday, Feb 07, 2003 |
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Agri-Biz & Commodities
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Foods & Food Processing Pre-Budget memorandum to Govt — CII urges focus on agro industries Our Bureau
KOCHI, Feb. 6 THE Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Kerala has submitted a pre-Budget memorandum to the Finance Minister, Mr K. Sankaranarayanan, urging him to focus on the agro-based food processing industry in the State. The memorandum, submitted by Ms Pamela Anna Mathew, Chairperson, CII Kerala, said that agro industries must be integrated backward with the entire supply chain for procuring raw materials. An integrated model wherein the cottage, small and medium-scale industries act as input conduits for further development of products by larger industries will give a boost to the development sector. CII also submitted a draft Kerala Agro Industrial Policy wherein it was suggested that the Government provide six per cent back-ended subsidies for five years on interest on term loans of agri infrastructure projects, assistance for quality certification, and 25 per cent subsidy on air freight for food products and development of port-based agro industrial estates for tapping the huge fresh produce market in West Asia. Besides, it suggested the setting up of a venture capital fund in association with financial institutions or banks for developing the agro and food processing industry, horticulture and hi-tech agriculture. Considering the ever-growing world market for organic food and with a view to promoting the market for organic food, the Government should offer five per cent interest subsidy for units processing organic food. Regarding the power sector, CII urged the Government to improve the distribution system at the district levels and to plan and implement the use of accelerated power development programme (APDP) funds towards improvement in the areas of distribution lines, distribution transformers, T&D losses, metering, improving efficiency and reliability, and tap non-conventional energy sources. It also said that the energy policy should take into consideration the bio-fuel consumption, in quantum terms, especially in the wood fuel and agriculture residues consumption. In the labour administration, the Government should focus on simplification or rationalisation of existing Acts and Rules. A scheme of self-certification by the industry that they have complied with all the requirements under the various labour legislations should be introduced. The pre-Budget memorandum also stated that since political consensus is lacking in disinvesting State-level public enterprises, the State should consider novel options such as infusing professional management for enhancing competitiveness. It further said that the Municipal Solid Wastes (Management Handling) Rules, 2000 has made the setting up of waste processing and disposal plants mandatory before December 31 and Government should consider converting waste to energy. Conversion of municipal waste to energy will, on one hand enable generation of much-needed power and on the other, address the critical issue of solid waster management. The State should consider setting up of a pilot project through public-private partnership in major cities. A 6 MW power plant based on MSW is a viable project and the approximate cost will be about Rs 30 crore, it added.
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