Bekal: Minister for Civil Aviation, Commerce and Industry Suresh Prabhu attended an interactive meeting at Bekal, organised by the North Malabar Chamber of Commerce, Bekal in Kasargod district on Monday, December 10.
The members of Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) also attended the meeting and discussed with Minister Suresh Prabhu the various issues of Mangalore International Airport, misuse of SAFTA provisions by Sri Lanka and issue of 1.5 market fee on agricultural produces.
KCCI President Abdul Hameed and other members enlightened the minister that the pepper from Vietnam is being routed through Sri Lanka. “The Sri Lankan authorities are issuing the certificate of the country of origin to this product as it has duty benefits under SAFTA being a SAARC country. This duty exemption is affecting Indian farmers who are not getting the right price for their agricultural produces. The state government through APMC is levying 1.5% of the market fee on agricultural produces. Our neighbouring states are not levying market fee on agricultural produces. This is a burden on our farm produces,” they explained.
The KCCI President also appealed to the minister to direct the authority to enlighten the Chamber regarding the progress of its proposals for infrastructural development like Pals (Precision Approach Lighting System) and extension of runway towards the north of old airport etc. The minister gave a patient hearing to the Chamber president and others and assured them of attending to the issues raised by them and do the needful.
KCCI Vice President Isaac Vas, Secretary Prashant and Director Praveen Kumar Bangera among others were present.
