Move to ‘ liberalise’ Delhi markets
City govt seeks feedback on de- regulation process
To ensure regular supply of fruits and vegetables at reasonable prices to consumers and to ensure best price for farmers, the city administration has proposed “liberalisation” of the marketing system in Delhi. This means that farmers effectively will be allowed to sell their produce directly to the buyers. The move can be seen as an attempt by the administration to crack down on black marketing, hoarders and to bring down food prices through competitive marketing.
The move also purportedly aims to woo farmers from western Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and rural villages of Delhi, which usually prefer to sell their produce in markets other than in Delhi. With no guidelines to monitor how the sale of vegetables and fruits outside the regulated markets would be undertaken, the government is likely to initiate that process only after it receives feedback.
At present, the marketing of fruits and vegetables in Delhi is regulated under the Delhi Agriculture Produce Marketing ( Regulation) Act, 1998, through three APMCs namely, Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee MNI Azadpur, APMC Keshopur and APMC Shahdara ( Ghazipur). With the move, the farmers will have the option to sell fruits and vegetables wherever they like to get a better price. Bulk buyers can also buy fruits and vegetables anywhere as per their choice. Consumers will also get value for money as they can get better products at affordable prices. Private market operators having large investment may introduce scientific management in the marketing of fruits and vegetables.
The Delhi government issued a notification on June 19 to delist fruits and vegetables from the three mandis and invited suggestions on the notification. In response, 1,335 objections or suggestions were received from various stakeholders, out of which 22 objectors had requested for a personal hearing. The objections and suggestions were placed before competent authority, and director ( agriculture marketing) V. P. Rao and a report was put up before lieutenantgovernor Najeeb Jung.
“After examining all pros and cons, the L- G has approved the proposal to cease the regulation of marketing of fruits and vegetables in the market area beyond the principal yard/ sub- yard of the respective market areas of the three marketing committees and continue to regulate the same within the market yards/ sub yards,” a government official said.