In a major decision, Punjab government has announced exempting inputs of food processing sector from taxes to make the state as food processing hub of the country.
The Secretary also asked the industry to utilise the Rs 2,000 crore corpus under the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) for lending to food processing industries in mega food parks and designated food parks.
The growth of food processing sector is very vital as it ensures food security and better remuneration to farmers for their produce, the Minister added.
The global agri major is presently selling vanaspati and edible oils under different brands -- Nature Fresh, Sweekar, Gemini, Rath and Sunflower Vanaspati.
The Food Safety and Standards (Health Supplements, Nutraceuticals, Food for Special Dietary Use, Food for Special Medical Purpose, Functional Food and Novel Food) Regulations was issued last December.