Karnal, October 1
The state government will issue licences to farmers to establish cold stores and warehouses in their fields to increase their income and also the shelf life of their produce. Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar stated this while inaugurating a block of around 50 shops at the new vegetable and fruit market here today.

“We are going to frame a new policy to link agriculture to warehouses and cold stores. Licences for both will be open for all,” he said. It would also improve the economic condition of farmers, he added.

Khattar counted the steps the state and Union governments had taken for the welfare of farmers. He said the state government would spend Rs 216 crore for the upgrade of 99 grain markets to provide facilities to farmers.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched the GST with an aim of one nation, one tax, which is a bold step for the welfare of the country. The GST had been under consideration for the last 20 years, but nobody could implement it. It would be beneficial for all sections of society.

The Chief Minister appealed to traders to get themselves registered under the GST, even if they have filed their income tax returns.

Meanwhile, Khattar said the government had increased the area under horticulture to 7.58 per cent from 5 per cent in just three years. To promote horticulture, the government would develop a horticulture cluster in as many as 340 villages to increase the income of farmers, he added.

He interacted with mediapersons on the sidelines of the programme. Asked about the extension of one year for implementing e-procurement, he said the time limit was extended after talks with commission agents and farmers. The commission agents also assured the government of not raising this issue next year.