APMC proposes Rs 4.51 crore budget for coming fiscal

The Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) has proposed a budget of Rs 4.51 crore for the fiscal year 2025-26 during a meeting held in Hamirpur on Thursday. Ajay Sharma, Chairman of the APMC, addressed the gathering and shared that the committee recorded an income of Rs 1,10,21,123 and expenditure of Rs 71,89,554 in the second half of 2024. For the upcoming financial year, a proposed income of Rs 2,25,95,500 and expenditure of Rs 2,25,84,200 was presented.

Sharma further stated that the committee has decided to allot vacant shops, warehouses, and community buildings in the Vegetable Market at Jahu. Additionally, discussions were held regarding the allotment of newly constructed booths and shops in the fruit and vegetable market at Nadaun. He instructed the secretary to expedite the completion of remaining work and issue advertisements for their allotment.

The committee has approved a Rs 26 lakh construction project in the vegetable markets at Hamirpur and Nadaun, which is expected to be completed by March. Furthermore, a proposal to build infrastructure worth Rs 1.25 crore for the benefit of farmers and gardeners in various vegetable markets across the district was discussed.

Sharma also announced plans for an exposure visit aimed at improving the economy of farmers and orchardists, involving producers and traders. The meeting was attended by APMC secretary Aruna Sharma, Rajeshwar Parmar (Deputy Director of the Horticulture Department), Rajesh Rana (District Agriculture Officer), Dr Ajay Kumar Singh (Deputy Director of Animal Husbandry), and APMC members Vijay Banyal, Ramesh Chand Parashar, Kewal Krishna Sharma, Santosh Kumar, Deep Chand, Sunil Kumar, and Neelam Thakur.