Vikhe-Patil was replying to queries raised during question hour about steps taken to promote agro-process industries in the state. The members -- Anil Godane, Kamalkishor Kadam, Vyankappa Patki and N P Hirani -- also wanted to know about the effect of the concessions on the State exchequer.

``The government wants to promote agro-industries in Maharashtra and had organised the Agro Advantage exhibition last year for the same purpose,'' the minister told the House.

Agricultural industries, he added, will be given 15 per cent more concessions as compared to other industries under the newly proposed scheme. The sops will be given in areas like sales tax or octroi and will be applicable only to those industrialistswho come under the purview of the new scheme.

The concessions will be more than those provided by a similar scheme launched by the Congress government in 1993, Vikhe-Patil said. He said a maximum grant of Rs 30 lakh would be provided to administer the processing system of perishable agricultural products such as fruits, flowers and vegetables.

Of the total capital expenditure required, 25 per cent will be provided by the government -- towards basic facilities like pre-cooling and cold-storage -- he said. The concessions will be applicable to private industries as well as cooperative societies formed by farmers, the minister added.

Vikhe-Patil said other concessions to the agro-industries included the 25 per cent aid on expenditure of air transport of agro-products.

This was intended to encourage export of these products, which had a good market in foreign countries, he said.

Agro industries, the minister said, would be also given concessions in electricity tariffs and the cost of transportingproduct samples to foreign countries.

He said the government will not levy property tax on greenhouses located in the periphery of any gram panchayat. Since this was the first time such concessions were being awarded to agro industries, Vikhe-Patil said, it was ``difficult'' to gauge the burden on the state exchequer.