AAP seeks scrapping of auction of cattle fair to pvt contractors

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has demanded scrapping of the system of auction of cattle fairs in the state to private contractor, suggesting that these be organised by the panchayats and rural development instead, on the pattern of neighbouring Haryana.

Addressing a press conference, AAP MLAs Kanwar Sandhu, Kultar Singh Sandhwan, Pirmal Singh and Amarjit Singh Sandhoa alleged that the government had resorted to open loot of dairy farmers through private contractors for many years. “When farm income is exempt from tax, why are farmers rearing cattle heads being forced to pay heavy sums to the government for every sale and purchase of cattle?” they asked.

The next auction for the coming year is due on July 10 as the previous contract expired on June 30. “The government has had to postpone the auction thrice in the last few days due to varying pressures, including those from contractors and farmers. This year, the reserve price for the auction of all cattle fairs in the state is ₹72 crore whereas these went for ₹105 crore,” Sandhu alleged. A total of 900 cattle fairs are organised each year in 19 districts. Sandhu also said the money collected in cattle fairs should be spent only on promoting dairy farming and improve veterinary hospitals in the state in a transparent manner. “The money is siphoned off for other sundry purposes,” he said.