Patna, (Bihar Times): The NABARD’s decision to end 25 per cent subsidy to the cold storages is taking a sort of political overtone with the agriculture minister of Bihar, Nagmani, saying that he would be meeting Union agriculture minister, Sharad Pawar, on this issue as there is increase in state’s demand for cold storages.
With the state recording bumper potato production this year and there is likelihood of rise in vegetable and fruit production the NABARD’s decision comes as a blow to the interest of farmers, feel the office-bearers of the Cold Storage Association. They said that there was in fact a plan to build 544 more cold storages in the state. This decision would come in the way of the opening of these cold storages.
The Cold Storage Association has in fact been demanding rise in subsidy from 25 to 50 per cent. Bihar is the leading vegetable and fruit producer of the country and there is enough scope for its development.
I wonder if the union ministers from Bihar will come to the rescue of the people of Bihar on this issue or they would be just busy reminding the people of the list of good works they have done till date and let Bihar suffer. So that they can letter blame Nitish government.
Manoj Kumar
Manoj.Kumar@irclass.org