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| Dilawar directs stringent action against unscrupulous transport agencies for over-charging, asks for strict enforcement of APMG Act | | | Srinagar, September 16 – Minister for Horticulture, PHE, Irrigation, Flood Control and Tourism Mr. Mohammad Ddilawar Mir has directed the senior functionaries of Transport, Police and Horticulture departments to take stringent action against all unscrupulous and unregistered transport agencies for allegedly creating artificial scarcity of trucks to overcharge freight rate especially during the current peak season. He said coalition government is very much concerned about the safeguard of interests of fruit growers and traders, adding that no compromise in quick redressal of their grievances would be tolerated.
The Minister was speaking at a high level meeting conveyed here last evening to address the concerns of the fruit growers that some unscrupulous transport agencies are allegedly charging exorbitant freight rates from them for transporting fruits from valley to different parts of the country.
The Secretary to Government Agriculture Production Department Mr. K. B. Jandial, Transport Commissioner Mr. Rajinder Tikoo, Director Horticulture (P&M) Mr. Showkat Ahmad Zargar, Regional Transport Officer and other concerned officers were present in the meeting.
The Minister discussed the issue in detail with the concerned departments with special reference to transport department and directed that all such unregistered/fake companies/agents should be eliminated and no report about their operation should come henceforth. He directed transport authorities to submit the last three year’s rate structure for carriage of fruit from the state to outside mandies so that a uniformity/reasonability of rates for the current year is maintained. Transport commissioner assured the Minister that a detailed report shall be submitted to the government within few days, in this context.
The Minister also directed for strict enforcement of Agricultural Produce Marketing and Grading (APMG) act, which is aimed at to regulate markets and eliminate exploitation by middlemen and touts. Seeking cooperation of the fruit growers in implementing the Act, the Minister said revenue generated under the Act would be used for strengthening infrastructure of the mandies making them self sustained.
It is important to mention here that after taking-over the charge of horticulture department, the Minister has been approached by a large number of fruit growers, traders and their associations with their demands and in prompt response has been taking spot decisions by calling the concerned departmental authorities in the meeting, to redress the grievances of fruit growers/traders. In this context the growers/traders of Sopore met the Minister recently, after which he directed the Director Horticulture (P&M), J&K, Mr. Showkat Ahmad Zargar to visit the mandi personally with his team of officers and resolve their problems on the spot. It was in this context that the demands, for fencing of packing shed, provision of water supply facility, providing temporary lighting facility in fruit auction area, were considered and Director took on spot decisions.
Meanwhile a deputation of the fruit growers from Pulwama led by Minister of State for R&B Mr. Mohammad Khalil Bandh also called on the Minister and pleaded for infrastructure development in the Vegetable and fruit Market Pampore. Responds to their demands the Minister sanctioned Rs. 52 lakh for fencing, water supply and completion of administrative block expeditiously.
The Minister also directed the officers of the Department of Horticulture (P&M) to speed-up the development of fruit and vegetable markets in the state and ensure providing of basic facilities in these mandies. |
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