Bill to allow private mandis passed

Sushil Manav

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 3

The Haryana Agriculture Produce Markets (Amendment) Bill, 2020, passed by the Assembly today, is intended to open alternative channels in addition to regulated mandis, leading to competition for the benefit of farmers.

“The amendments in the existing Act have adopted major provisions from the Model Agriculture Produce and Livestock Marketing (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2017, of the Centre, keeping in view the concerns of the state,” said sources in the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department.

“Alternative channels include setting up of privately managed marketplaces. The marketplaces will have the capacity to register traders and conduct business in agricultural produce similar to that of mandis. This will lead to inflow of much-needed private investment in agricultural marketing infrastructure,” said sources.

The amendment will also enable farmers and farm produce organisations to sell directly to consumers and large buyers such as firms engaged in food processing and big exporters. Sources said another provision that warehouses and cold stores could be declared as market sub-yards would go a long way in preventing distress sale of produce by farmers.

Warehouses registered with the Warehousing Development Regulatory Authority have been declared as deemed market sub-yards under this Act. Such warehouses will issue e-warehousing receipts, a tradable commodity, to farmers. This will allow farmers to dispose of produce when and where they like.

The government is setting up a terminal market at Ganaur in Sonepat and markets for apple in Pinjore, flowers in Gurugram and spices and fruits in Sonepat. These markets will demand newer and modern ways of functioning and regulation. The provisions of the amended Bill will address all these issues.

Arhtiyas are not happy with the development as they think it will ruin their business. Ashok Gupta, state president of the Anaj Mandi Arhtiya Association, alleged the government was trying to ruin the business of traders. “We have sought an appointment with the CM and senior department officers.”

Sanjeev Kaushal, Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, maintained that apprehensions with respect to allowing private markets were unfounded.

Assembly passes eight Bills on penultimate day

• The Haryana State Higher Education Council (Amendment) Bill was passed for restructuring the council to give power to appoint chairperson to the government
• The Haryana Private Universities (Amendment) Bill was passed unanimously after the Opposition asked whether reservation for weaker sections would be provided
• The Haryana Development and Regulation of Urban Areas (Amendment) Bill would provide licence renewal period for colonies ranging from a year to five years
• The Haryana Appropriation Bill was passed for supplementary grants
• The Prohibition of Child Marriage (Amendment) Bill passed to annul child marriage ab initio
• The Haryana Group D Employees (Recruitment and Conditions of Service) Amendment Bill would remove issues faced by the government in the 2018 Act
• The Haryana Pond and Waste Water Management Authority (Amendment) Bill was passed with the object of development, protection, rejuvenation, management and utilisation of pond water for irrigation
• The Haryana Agriculture Produce Markets (Amendment) Bill would encourage private participation in agricultural markets with establishment of e-trading platforms, private market yards and single levy of market fees