Rationalise, raise market fee, says Chandigarh Chief Secretary

UT Chief Secretary H Rajesh Prasad has directed officers of the State Agricultural Marketing Board to work out modalities to rationalise and enhance market fee.

The Chief Secretary today convened a meeting with officers of the board and Agriculture Department to discuss key issues pertaining to agricultural land, marketing infrastructure and mandi management in the city. He ordered creating an online system for maintaining arrival of products in mandi to ensure transparency and efficiency in calculating mandi fees being charged from commission agents.

On the issue of encroachments in the Grain, Fruit & Vegetable Market at Sector 26, Prasad emphasised that prompt action must be taken to remove unauthorised vendors, as the mandi is designated for wholesale trade only. He also directed the officials to maintain sanitation in the mandi.

Agriculture Secretary Pardeep Kumar briefed the Chief Secretary on the extent of agricultural land available in the UT and the status of beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme.

Board Secretary Hari Kallikat made a detailed presentation on the existing Sector 26 mandi and the proposed site at Sector 39. Pavittar Singh, Administrator, Market Committee, Navin, Director Agriculture, and Rajiv Tewari, Joint Secretary, Marketing Board, were present during the meeting.