Punjab demands special package for Agro-based industry

The Punjab government today demanded exemption of taxes and special facilities from the Centre government for the establishment of agro-based industry in the state, as the neighboring states were already availing these facilities from the Centre.

Disclosing this here today, Punjab Industry and Commerce Minister Manoranjan Kalia said that state economy depends up on agriculture.

"There is stagnation in the agriculture sector, due to hike in prices of agricultural inputs, so farmers of Punjab are suffering from economic crisis," he said.

Kalia said that need of the hour was to establish agro-based industry to improve the economic standard of farmers.

 

He said that present government under the leadership of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal was doing all possible efforts for the welfare of the farmers.

He said that state government had already given approval for 336 mega projects at the tune of Rs.97.163 crore to increase the private investments in Punjab.

With the establishments of these projects more than 12 lakh people would be able to get employment.

Due to the lack of exemption in taxes, Punjab had been totally out in the competition of production sector.

The Punjab government had spent Rs.20 crore to maintain the focal points last year and Rs.25 crore would be spent during this financial year.