Provided that the Board shall be constituted within six months from the date of its suspension.

Functions and powers of the Board

1. (1) The Board shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, perform the following functions and shall have power to do such thing as may be necessary or expedient for carrying out these functions:
   • (i) Coordination of the working of the Market Committees and other affairs

1. (ii) Undertake State level planning of the development of agricultural produce including livestock in principal market yards, sub-market yards and market sub-yards.
2. (iii) Administer the State Marketing Development Fund.
3. (iv) Give direction to the Market Committees in general or any Market Committee in particular with a view to ensuring improvement thereof.
4. (v) Any other functions specifically entrusted to it under this Act.
5. (vi) Such other functions of like nature as may be entrusted to it by the Government.

1. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provisions, such functions of the Board shall include:
   • (i) approval of the proposals for selection of new sites by the Market Committees for establishment of principal market yard or sub-market yard or market sub-yard.
   • (ii) approval of the proposals for constructing infrastructure facilities in the principal market yard, sub-market yard and market sub-yards ; and also in delineated market area;
   • (iii) supervision of and guidance of the Market Committees in preparation of plans and estimates of construction programme undertaken by the Market Committee ;
   • (iv) execution of all works chargeable to the Board’s fund;
   • (v) maintenance of the accounts in such form as may be prescribed and get the same audited in such manner as may be laid down in the regulation of the Board;
   • (vi) publishing annually at the close of the year its progress report, balance sheet and statement of assets and liabilities; and send copies thereof to each member of the Board and the State Government;
   • (vii) set up separate Marketing Extension Cell in the Board for transfer of marketing technology and extension services. Board may also make necessary arrangements for awareness generation campaign on matters related to regulated marketing of an agricultural produce including livestock and development of marketing facilities therefor;
   • (viii) providing facilities for the training of officers and servants of the Market Committees after assessing the demand for trained personnel in agricultural marketing at all levels. Set up a Training Cell with college/centers for training in agricultural marketing for various market functionaries, Market Committee members and farmers etc., in the state Marketing Board with necessary academic support from the Directorate of Marketing and Inspection of Government of India, a National level Nodal agency.
   • (ix) provide facilities for linking of consumers to farmers or their groups through appropriate technology;
   • (x) help prepare budget for the ensuing year;
   • (xi) granting subventions on loans to Market Committee for the purposes of this Act on such terms and conditions as the Board may determine;
   • (xii) arranging or organizing seminars/ workshops/exhibitions etc. on subjects related to agricultural marketing;
   • (xiii) doing such other things as may be of general interest to Market Committees or considered necessary for the efficient functioning of the Board;
   • (xiv) facilitating Market Committee in promoting grading and standardization of notified agricultural produce including livestock, setting up of assaying labs and other infrastructures for on-line trading and activities incidental thereto ;
   • (xv) providing logistic support to promote on-line trading on-line to develop barrier market for notified agricultural produce including livestock; and
   • (xvi) setting up an advisory committee with technical support of Directorate of Marketing and Inspection to promote efficient marketing of notified agricultural produce and livestock , including issues relating to grading, standardization, packaging , quality certifications, as may be prescribed.
   • (xvii) Payment of administrative expenditure of the Board. (xviii)Payment of travelling and other allowance to the Chairperson , and Members of the Board.
   • (xix) Payment of legal expenses incurred by the Board.
   • (xx) Granting aid to financially weak Market Committees in the form of loan or grant for development proposes.
   • (xxi) Propaganda and publicity on matters relating to marketing of agricultural produce.
   • (xxii) Training of the officers and staff of the Market Committees and Board and also to market functionaries and agriculturists.

(xxiii)Organizing and arranging workshops, seminars, exhibitions etc., on

development of marketing.

1. (xxiv) Promotion and construction of infrastructural facilities in the principal market

yard, sub-market yard and also in common market infrastructural facilities

in the delineated market area.

1. (xxv) Undertaking skill development and pledge financing activities.
2. (xxvi) Undertaking market survey and research, grading and standardization, quality certification of agricultural produce, on-line trading and other activities connected thereto. (xxvii) Acquisition or constructions or hiring by lease or otherwise of buildings or land for performing the duties of the Board. (xxviii)Internal audit of the Board and the Market Committees. (xxvix)Development of Haat Bazars and farmer-consumer markets for marketing of agricultural production in the delineated market areas; and explore the possibility of developing such markets for livestock also.
3. (xxx) any other purpose, deemed necessary for execution of the functions assigned to the Board under this Act or as directed by the State Government.