Govt mulls regulated mandis at 3 locations

SHILLONG, June 17: In a move that is aimed at further easing the problems of farmers with regard to marketing their produce in state, Agriculture Minister Banteidor Lyngdoh on Thursday said that the government is contemplating the idea of regulated mandis (markets) at three strategic locations in East Khasi Hills — Upper Shillong, Mawiong and Lad Smit.
The minister said that the government is looking for land to set up the mandis. “We will submit the proposal to the government soon,” he added after inspecting the makeshift wholesale market at Anjalee parking lot.
During the inspection, the minister along with officials of the Agriculture department interacted with farmers and took note of their problems.
Some farmers explained to the delegation about the problems they were facing since the beginning of the lockdown, while others were satisfied with the reasonable prices they were getting for selling their produce.
The agriculture minister later claimed that everything is back on track for the farmers.
Explaining the difficulties faced by the farmers, Lyngdoh said that they had to dump their produce due to lack of buyers but now the farmers have even started exporting their produce to markets in Assam.
The minister said he will brief the Cabinet about the need to allow the farmers to sell their produce beyond 3 pm.
Some farmers complained to the minister about the charge of Rs 40 they had to pay to the Shillong Municipal Board on a daily basis to sell their produce at the parking lot.
On the other hand, president of Hill Farmers’ Union, Commander Shangpliang, said that the government had not provided any assistance to farmers for the losses they incurred last year.
Pointing at the condition of the farmers, Shangpliang said that some financial assistance would be helpful for them while also admitting that situation has improved since the farmers were getting good prices for their produce unlike last year.