Govt comes to rescue of potato growers

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 24

In view of the low prices of potato in the state, the government today directed the Punjab Agro and Markfed to intervene in the market on “no profit, no loss” basis to bail out potato growers from the crisis.

Chairing an emergent meeting to take stock of the situation here, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal decided to reduce the market fee and rural development fee (RDF) on potatoes from 2 per cent each to 0.25 per cent.

Besides, Badal decided to slash the rates of commission charged by the commission agents from 5 per cent to 1 per cent with immediate effect.

The CM also asked the Punjab Agro and Markfed to explore the feasibility of export potential of potatoes to Russia, Dubai, Iran, Sri Lanka and other countries for which the state government would subsidise the freight.

The Agriculture Department has also been directed to undertake distant marketing of potatoes in other parts of the country to ensure better prices to growers.

The CM asked the Agriculture Department to ensure rational utilisation of storing capacity of cold stores across the state to curb the malpractices of hoarding in cold storage space.