APMC licence for Reliance in West Bengal in a week

The West Bengal government plans to issue the crucial APMC (Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee) licence to Reliance Industries in a week to facilitate the start of its Rs 2000-crore agri-retail venture. The APMC licence is mandatory for Reliance to be able to buy agriculture products directly from state farmers and market them through its upcoming Reliance Fresh retail chain across West Bengal. "We may take the decision within a week. We are trying to develop a formula that will protect the interests of state farmers and the interests of the state-run agriculture marketing department which also runs business on the agri-retail sector. Finally, we are also eager to help the Reliance Group to run its agri-retail business in the state," West Bengal minister for agriculture marketing Murtaza Hossain told ET on Tuesday.