Government Orders of Interest to Citizens

GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL NADU

ABSTRACT

Agriculture - Setting up of Agri Export Zone for Mango in Theni, Madurai, Dindigul, Virudhunagar, Tirunelveli and Kanniyakumari Districts through private sector participation at a total cost of Rs.24.60 crores - Orders - Issued.

AGRICULTURE (A.M. 3) DEPARTMENT

G.O.(MS).No.77
Dated:5.3.2003

Read:

1. From the Commissioner of Agricultural Marketing and Agri Business, Letter No.MCS4/3852/02, dated 8.7.2002 and 4.1.2003.

2. From the Chairman, APEDA, Letter No.APEDA/aez/ 01/2002, dated 22.11.2002.

3. From the Deputy General Manager (AEZ), APEDA, Letter No.APEDA/aez/41/02/16676, dated 27.11.2002.

--

ORDER:

The Commissioner of Agricultural Marketing and Agri Business in his letters first read above has submitted proposal for setting up of Agri Export Zone for Mango in Theni, Madurai, Dindigul, Virudhunagar, Tirunelveli and Kanniyakumari Districts through private sector participation at a total cost of Rs.24.60 crores for approval of APEDA. Government of India. The Co-ordination Committee and the Steering Committee of APEDA considered the proposal and have conveyed their approval for the proposal. In this regard  the  Memorandum of  Understanding has been signed by  APEDA with the Government of Tamil Nadu on 6.2.2003.

2. Having identified the potential for export of Mangoes in Theni, Madurai, Dindigul, Virudhunagar, Tirunelveli and Kanniyakumari Districts and with the objective of providing remunerative  returns to the farmers on a sustained basis by improved access to exports, the Government direct that an Export Zone for Mangoes at Theni, Madurai, Dindigul, Virudhunagar, Tirunelveli and Kanniyakumari Districts be set up with an overall project cost of Rs.24.60 crores (Rupees Twenty Four Crores and Sixty Lakhs only) as approved by APEDA, of which private sector investment will be of Rs.1391.25 lakhs, the share of APEDA, National Horticulture Board, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India share will be Rs.656.25 lakhs and the State share of Rs.412.50 lakhs will be met from State Agricultural Marketing Board or ongoing schemes as detailed in the Annexure .

3. The Government also direct that the Department of Agricultural Marketing and Agri Business being the Nodal Agency / Department for setting up of the Agri Export Zone for Mango in Tamil Nadu which is authorized and empowered to co-ordinate all activities in setting up of Agri Export Zone. The role of Nodal Agency will be

(a)   function as a Nodal Department / Agency on behalf of the State Government for Agri Export Zone;

(b)   to identify the gaps in the industrial promotion of Fruits and Vegetable sector with specific emphasis for the export of fresh and processed fruits and vegetables and also motivating the entrepreneurs for setting up production units and also facilities for post harvest management, tissue culture, Research and Development, logistics and marketing, infrastructure and facilities, technical and managerial assistance, etc.

(c) provide escort services to the new entrepreneurs and also  existing mango food processing units for establishment / diversification / modernization and operation;

(d) act as a facilitator for obtaining various approvals / clearances from State and Central Government authorities, financial assistance, infrastructure development, technology and market tie-up, etc.

(e)  act as a single window agency for various State / Central Government schemes including export promotional activities with assistance from various APEDA schemes;

(f)  help the exporters and farmers to bench mark against International standards through Agri Export Zone for Mangoes;

(g)  co-ordination of the overall work through an institutional mechanism;

(h)  to provide the requisite support subject to tech-economic feasibility study;'

(i)   to provide administrative support; 

(j)  arrangement with all the state level parties / agencies / beneficiaries;

4. The role of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Department of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, Department of Industries, Commercial Taxes, Revenue, Public Works, Highways, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and Financial Institutions in this endeavour will be as follows:-

Horticulture College, Periakulam and  Agriculture College at Madurai

• 1. provide Research and Development support;
• 1. development of new varieties;
• 1. time bound programme for increasing the yield;
• 1. soil testing;
• 1. potential for organic production;
• 1. agronomical practices / harvesting / post-harvest protocols;
• 1. recommendation of pest control measures;
• 1. pesticides residue analysis;
• 1. technical guidance to Horticulture Department for specialized nursery specific responsibilities for Agri Export Zone;
• 1. to spare the services of one expert, who will work as an interface between Horticulture Department, Agri Export Zone and the University and will work with the Growers / farmers to upgrade their production technology;
• 1. assisting Department of Horticulture in organizing demonstration and training;
• 1. futuristic research towards varietal improvement, adaptation of scientific cultivation and precision farming;

Horticulture Department

• 1. to provide farm extension services including carryout pest surveillance and spraying as per recommendation;
• 1. to implement the package of agronomical practices
• 1. laboratory for leaf / tissue analysis;
• 1. assistance to provide entrepreneurs;
• 1. work on planned improvement of production and productivity;

Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB)

• 1. to provide need based uninterrupted power supply to the post harvest facilities, pack houses and processing units. The unit(s) would be able to avail duty free diesel for power generation as per EXIM policy. SEB will accord permission to the units to generate their own electricity without any minimum charges so as to avail duty concession on diesel;

Industries Department

• 1. provide Capital subsidy upto Rs.20/- lakhs to each unit;

Commercial Tax Department

• 1. to exempt all duties / cess / taxes / levies, if any, on all inputs used for export of fresh and processed products under Agri Export Zone;

Revenue Department

• 1. to exempt from the Land Ceiling Act;

Public Works Department

• 1. rain water harvesting to be allowed and permission to put up check dams if required;

Highways Department

• 1. consider developing approach roads on priority basis;

Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board

• 1. ensuring no polluting activities is undertaken in Agri Export Zone vicinity;

Local Departments / Authorities

• 1. approvals / clearances required for setting up of industrial units within Agri Export Zone should be given on Fast Track;

5. The Commissioner of Agricultural  Marketing and Agri  Business is requested to ensure that the Agri Export Zone is  set up expeditiously.

6. This order issues with the concurrence of the Finance Department vide its U.O.No.475/PS/P/2003. dated 3.2.2003.

(BY ORDER OF  THE GOVERNMENT)

T.S. SRIDHAR,
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION COMMISSIONER & SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT.

To

The Secretary to Government of India, Ministry of Commerce, New Delhi.

The Commissioner of Agricultural Marketing and Agri Business,  Chennai-32.

The Commissioner of Agriculture, Chennai-5.

The Director of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Chennai-5.

The Chief Engineer (Agricultural Engineering), Chennai-35.

The Registrar, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-3.

The Chairman, APEDA, Ministry of Commerce, Govt. of India, New Delhi.

The Secretary to Govt. of India, Ministry of Agriculture, Dept. of Agri. and Cooperation, Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi.

The Commissioner of Commercial Taxes, Chennai-5.

The Chairman, Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, Chennai-2.

The TNPCB., Chennai-1.

The Lead Bank of Indian Overseas Bank, Chennai-2.

The Principal Accountant General (A&E), Chennai-18 (By Name).

The Accountant General (Audit), Chennai-35 / Chennai-6.

The District Collector, Theni, Madurai, Dindigul, Virudhunagar, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari Districts.

The Chief Executive Officer, Tamil Nadu State Agricultural Marketing Board, Chennai.32.

Copy to the NIC., Secretariat, Chennai-9 (with floppy of this G.O. for incorporation in the Web site of Agriculture Department).

The Commercial Taxes Department, Chennai-9.

The Industries Department, Chennai-9.

The Secretary to Honourable Chief Minister, Chennai-9.

The Special Personal Assistant to Minister for Agriculture Chennai-9.

The Private Secretary to Agricultural Production Commissioner and Secretary to Government, Agriculture Department, Chennai-9.

SF/SCs.

Forwarded/By Order

Section Officer.

ANNEXURE

AGRI EXPORT ZONE FUNDING PATTERN

 (Rs. in lakhs)

.