M'shtra to have three private agri markets

Of the eight agricultural markets to be set up in the country, three are coming up in Maharashtra at Nagpur, Nashik and Mumbai. The central government had invited expressions of interest (EOIs) for the same last year and it has received 60 EOIs by now.

A senior official from the ministry of agriculture said, "These markets will be set up in those states which have amended their Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) acts to facilitate private players role in setting up such markets."

"The private investors will have to carry out their activities in a transparent manner," the official said.

"So far, only one private market has come up in the country at Bangalore which trades in fruits and vegetables.The proposed markets will be dealing in all agricultural commodities," he added.

" Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar has called a meeting of states and private players who have shown interest in the proposed markets on February 20. The process related to tenders is expected to be completed in two months," the official added.

The state would provide basic facilities such as land, water and electricity and the Centre would provide financial assistance of Rs 200-250 crore for infrastructural facilities such as warehouses, cold storage, etc, he added.