SHILLONG, Aug 17: Governor Phagu Chauhan has recently given his assent to the KHAD (Establishment, Management & Control of Markets) (2nd Amendment) Regulation Act, 2021 which will pave the way for the KHADC to fix the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and bar the traders from deducting the weight of the agricultural produce.
Revealing this development, KHADC Executive Member in-charge of Trade, Grace Mary Kharpuri on Thursday said the council will soon issue a notification, aimed at protecting the interest of the farmers.
She said the deduction of weight on agricultural produce will be stopped in all markets falling under scheduled areas once the council issues the notification.
It is important the vegetable traders ensure that the farmers get their dues and do not face any kind of loss. They have been badly affected by the deduction of the weight of their agricultural produce, Kharpuri said.
To a query, she said the council is still on the job to fix MSP on various agricultural produce.
She said there are provisions in the Act for the constitution of Market Managing Committee (MMC) where farmers and traders will be the members. The council will have to approve the composition of MMCs, she added.
The Act seeks to make it mandatory for markets across the region to get the council’s recognition. This is expected to benefit the farmers.
Kharpuri said the Act will also help keep a check on benami transactions.
“The MMC will be responsible to maintain the records of owners and tenants of shops,” she said, indicating this will prevent non-tribals from running their businesses using local names.
She said the non-tribal businessmen will not be allowed to operate their businesses without obtaining trading licences from the council. The Act has a provision to check food adulteration in the market. It also deals with the livestock sold in the market, she added.
On the filthy condition of Iewduh market, she said they are yet to receive any complaint in this regard. She said the council will immediately take action if it receives a complaint.
The primary objective of the Act is to promote and facilitate the marketing of agricultural produce and livestock and also bring accountability and transparency in the implementation of the regulations.
An Agriculture Produce and Livestock Marketing Facilitation Sub-Committee (APLMFSC) will be constituted to ensure that all the legal rights and privileges of the farmers relating to the marketing of agricultural produce and livestock are honoured.
The sub-committee shall take measures for the prevention of purchase and sale of commodities below the minimum support price fixed by the council.
It will also facilitate the marketing of the agricultural produce and livestock of farmers.
The APLMFSC will also take steps to ensure that in the process of determining the pricing of agricultural produce and livestock between the producer and the buyer, the rights of the farmers are not violated.
The sub-committee will also ensure that no market toll, by whatever names it may be called, be collected from the farmers and agriculturalists for selling their products in the market area.
It shall have its own fund and have the power to collect fees as prescribed by the EC, from the wholesale buyer, seller and trader.
Further, the sub-committee will also maintain and manage the farmer-consumer market area in the interest of the farmers, agriculturists and traders/buyers.
The APLMFSC will further provide settlement of all disputes between the seller and buyer arising out of any kind of transaction connected to the marketing of agriculture produce and livestock.
It shall take steps to lodge a complaint against any person for violating the provisions of this Regulation and any other relevant Act, Rule, Bye-Law, Notification etc, while taking all possible steps to promote and set up public and private partnerships in the management of the agricultural market.
The sub-committee shall have the power to inspect and verify scales, weights and measurements used in the farmer-consumer market area.
It may arrange to obtain health fitness certificates from a veterinary doctor in respect of livestock that is bought or sold in the market.
The MCC will maintain a register of all the shop owners, stall owners and the name of the lessee of the shop and shall submit a report to the officer duly authorised by the EC, annually.
