Single license for trading in agri-produce in Bengal

West Bengal assembly today passed a bill amending West Bengal Agricultural Produce (Regulation) Act, 1972, for providing a single license for trading in all markets within the state.
Tabling the West Bengal Agricultural Produce Marketing (Regulation)(Amendment) Bill of 2017, state Agriculture Marketing Minister Tapan Dasgupta said there was need to do away with multiplicity of licenses as it was creating hurdles in ease of doing business.
The bill also allows levy of market fees on agricultural produce purchased or sold which was two per cent for cereals, pulses, oilseeds, oils, fruits, vegetables, fibres and six per cent for tobacco.
Dasgupta said the amendment had been brought in order to strengthen the marketing system anf for effective implementation of the Act.

It would also help in better price discovery of agricultural produce and farmers would get remunerative prices. Besides, it would strengthen inter-state trade and commerce in agricultural produce and allow farmers to sell their produce on a national platform, he added.
Most Opposition members supported the bill.