Farmers demand market yard in Lahaul

SC nod awaited

“The forest clearance has been received to set up a market yard at Karga. Now, the final approval is awaited from the Supreme Court to execute this project. As soon as the state government receives the approval, the work on the permanent structure will begin.” Sushil Gularia, APMC secy

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, September 12

Farmers of the Lahaul valley have urged the government to construct a market yard at Karga in the tribal district to provide better marketing facilities for their agricultural produce.

On the demand of farmers, the Congress regime in 2016 had set up a temporary market yard and promised to set up a permanent one. Since then, the farmers have been waiting desperately for the yard.

The farmers said in the absence of a marketing facility, they could not get good price for their produce. They find it difficult to transport the crops to distant markets.

Tanzin, Mohan LaL and a few other farmers said the farmers cultivated vegetables like cauliflower, cabbage, peas, potato and exotic vegetables. Due to lack of better infrastructure for marketing facilities, they were suffering a lot.

During the peak season, the farmers face shortage of trucks for transporting the harvest and have to sell it to agents at meagre prices.

Secretary, Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee, Kullu, Sushil Gularia said, “The forest clearance has been received to set up a market yard at Karga. Now, the final approval is awaited from the Supreme Court to execute this project. As soon as the state government receives the approval, the work on the permanent structure will begin.”