New Delhi, May 8: The export of perishable products like fruits and vegetables has suffered in the last few years, mainly because of the time involved in getting clearance from multiple agencies and documentations required for the process. Taking note of this, the Prime Minister’s Office had asked the ministries involved to streamline the multi-channel export routes for perishable farm produce through the formation of nodal agencies. It was envisaged that the nodal agency would provide multiple choices of authorities to carry out certification, along with reduction in the number of agencies and rationalisation of documentation for export clearance.

Nearly two years after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had instructed the commerce and agriculture ministries to clear the clutter in the procedures pertaining to export of processed food and perishable agricultural products, the Union Cabinet, which is slated to meet on Friday, is likely to consider a proposal to amend the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) Act, 1985.

Under the restructured role, APEDA, the apex agency entrusted with the responsibility of facilitating and promoting exports of agricultural and processed food, will be given a regulatory role to supervise different public and private agencies involved in the export of agricultural produce.

The restructuring holds significance in view of the fact that despite being the second largest producer of fruits and vegetable, the country could not realise its true export potential.

The Cabinet is also likely to consider a policy on setting up of schools affiliated to foreign educational boards and appointment of foreign teachers in such schools. It is likely to look into a proposal to beef up the organisational structure of National Disaster Management Authority. The Cabinet will also finalise its financial assistance for the 10th five-year plan of Bhutan.