TRADERS DUPE BUNDELKHAND FARMERS ON PRETEXT OF GST
BHOPAL: In a first case of its kind in Bundelkhand’s Sagar district, two farmers were allegedly duped by traders on the pretext of deductions under the goods and services tax (GST).
At Rehli tehsil in Sagar district, two farmers have complained to sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) that they had sold their kharif crop to two traders at the Rehli Krishi Upaj Mandi, who deducted 1% from total amount although the sale of agricultural produce does not attract GST.
The farmers claim they were told that 1% has been deducted as GST. Despite their repeated pleas, the traders didn’t listen. The farmers finally approached the district administration, which has ordered the Mandi secretary to conduct a probe.
Rajaram Parihar from Sagar’s Achalpur village said that on October 22, he and his elder brother Rajkumar had gone to Rehli Krishi Upaj Mandi to sell their crop.
“After negotiations over purchase rate, we agreed to sell our crop to two traders. We sold soyabean and masoor dal. They told us that payment of ₹2 lakh will be made on October 25 citing cash problem. On October 25 when Rajkumar met the traders, they gave us ‘kachha bill’ (informal receipt ) and cash amounting to ₹1,98,000 and said that 1% has been deducted as GST,” he said.
“We argued and protested but they did not listen to us and told that this rule started with GST. We even complained to Krishi Mandi officials but even they did not listen. As the last resort, we complained to Rehli SDM. But we have little hope that action will be taken against the traders as they are rich and resourceful. These grain traders work in a monopolistic way and according to their whims fix the purchase price of crops,” Parihar said.
MLK Khare, Rehli SDM told HT that he had received a complaint from the farmers. “It is illegal and I have ordered Rehli Mandi secretary to inquire the matter and submit a report at the earliest.”
› It is illegal and I have ordered Rehli Mandi secretary to inquire the matter and submit report at the earliest. MLK KHARE, Rehli SDM