Budget 2017: Government may incentivise food processing SMEs

The government is likely to announce incentives for small and medium food processing units in areas such as rice and tea in the Budget to promote the sector and boost manufacturing activities.

The impetus may come through a scheme - Sampada -- under which 35% subsidy could be given on the total investments, a source said.

The source added that states would be requested to exempt these units from levies like VAT.

Under the scheme, the government may promote setting up of mini-food parks in which rice mills, spices, and tea leaves processing units can be set up to avail the benefits.

"The proposal is under discussion between the Food Processing Ministry and the Finance Ministry," sources said adding there is a plan to provide single window clearance for these parks.

Last year, Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal had said that the Ministry is working on the scheme for development of small and medium scale processing clusters close to the growing areas of the specific farm produce.

Food Processing is a thrust sector under the government's 'Make in India' initiative. The programmes aim at making India a manufacturing hub in the world.

The government had already permitted 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) in retailing of food products produced and manufactured in India.

The Budget for 2017-18 is scheduled on February 1.