Kullu: Arhtiyas want protection from defaulting traders

Abhinav Vashisht

KULLU, SEPTEMBER 19

Many traders from other states having liabilities of lakhs of rupees to the arhtiyas (agents) have reportedly fled after buying apples in various marketing yards in Kullu.

The traders generally win the trust of arhtiyas and run away without clearing the dues. The defaulters switch off their mobiles and such frauds happen during the end of the season. Sometimes traders from other states have fled with truckloads of apples by faking the RC and number plate.

The arhtiyas have urged the government that identity cards of traders should be prepared so that the traders from other states cannot buy the produce without the identity card.

Mohan Thakur, president, Arhtiya Association, Bandrol said that the government and marketing board should take concrete steps in this regard so that the agents are not duped. Security bonds should be made compulsory for outside traders to protect the interest of agents, he demanded.

Many traders from other states buy apples and then flee without clearing their dues. Arhtiyas incur heavy losses due to such defaulters every year. Some agents adopt the legal recourse but mostly the due amount is not recovered.

Kullu and Lahaul Spiti APMC secretary Sushil Guleria said that the buyers are made to fill a form which includes their details.

He said the website of the APMC was being revamped and soon the buyers will have to fill the form online in which Aadhaar number will be mandatory. He said that the business was based on trust.

He said a proposal to keep margin money as security from buyers did not fructify. The traders from other states will be more accountable after the online system of registration is implemented.

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