Ministers meet commission agents to resolve procurement, market issues

Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, who heads the sub-committee of Group of Ministers (GoM) formed to ensure the smooth procurement of agricultural produce, and Rural Development and Panchayats Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond meet representatives of the commission agents’ association on Wednesday.

The meeting focused on ensuring seamless procurement and addressing the issues faced by commission agents. They were accompanied by Amargarh MLA Jaswant Singh Gajjan Majra, Punjab Mandi Board chairman Harchand Singh Barsat, Khanna Market Committee chairman Jagtar Singh Gill Ratanheri, Punjab Commission Agents’ Association president Jaswinder Singh Rana and Khanna Commission Agents’ Association president Harbans Singh Rosha.

Khuddian stated that some of the demands by the commission agents’ association representatives are for the Punjab Government and will be resolved soon, while those for the Centre will be taken up for resolution. He noted that the state government had approved a 10 per cent wage hike for labourers within its capacity.

On property tax being imposed for shops not registered in their names, Khuddian clarified that the property belonged to the Mandi Board, and municipal councils could not impose taxes on it, as agricultural land acquired for markets was exempt from such levies by other authorities. He also addressed the long-pending issue of shop allotments, stating that these would be finalised through a one-time settlement (OTS) to enable smooth market operations.

Regarding the commission agents’ demand for a 2.5 per cent commission rate, Khuddian noted that this had to be paid by the procurement agency. He said Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann recently discussed this with the Union Food Minister, who had agreed to it in principle.

Sond urged Khuddian to expand the Dahiru grain market, adjacent to Khanna, and to expedite the construction of link roads to Rahon grain market by the Mandi Board. He noted that for the first time, a sub-committee of four Cabinet ministers, chaired by Khuddian, was formed to ensure smooth procurement. The committee includes Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak, Transport and Jails Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar and Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal.