DMI scheme: APMC to get Rs 12.10 crore

Concreting of roads coming under APMC has already been undertaken

Addressing a news conference on Monday at APMC yard in Baikampady, Thangadagi said that the roads will be developed under a Central Government scheme called Development of Marketing Infrastructure (DMI) and works of Rs 3.35 crore have already been taken up. An additional sum of Rs 12.10 crore will be released soon for taking up various projects in the APMC.

He said that the income of the Agriculture Produce Marketing Committees across the state was about Rs 175 crore through market cess but this has gone up to Rs 207 crore over the last one year.

Mangalore APMC has earned  total income of Rs 3,90, 63,756 this year through licence and rent etc. It has collected market cess of Rs 2.58 crore during 2007-08, which increased to Rs 3,35,24,332 during this year.

He informed that out of 246 sites in APMC, Mangalore, 156 sites are still remaining to be sold.

Takers have been low because of the case pending in the High Court. Thangadagi said that once the case is settled in the Court, steps will be taken to sell out the remaining sites too.

He welcomed any private companies willing to take up the development of APMC and said that  such interested private companies will be issued with licence for the same.

He said that certain changes in APMC rules are necessary. After a president is elected, ‘No Confidence motion’ should not be moved against the President for 6 months from election date, reservation for OBC, SC/ST, women are some the changes needed.

He informed that the state government will constitute Cane Development Officers in 13 districts to boost cultivation of sugarcane and production of Sugar. Compared to last year cultivation of sugarcane has decreased by 40 per cent.