HP Marketing Board to invest Rs 80 cr in market yards

Dharamsala, May 15 (UNI) In order to facilitate the marketing of agricultural and allied produce, the Himachal Pradesh Marketing Board is planning to expand the existing market yards at Dhalli and Solan with an investment of Rs 80 crore, official sources said here.

The board also plans to construct two more market yards at Palampur in Kangara district and Kangni in Mandi at a cost of Rs 7.50 crore, according to the Market Information Network Scheme sources.

Four such yards involving a cost of Rs six crore are already underway at Jawalamukhi, Rohroo, Nahan and Santhokhgarh.

Pointing out that in the absence of proper roads, farmers are compelled to sell their produce to local traders or have to incur heavy transportation costs, which substantially increases the marketing cost, the sources said, the board is constructing link roads and ropeways in notified market places.

During the previous year, Rs 88 lakh were spent for construction of roads, benefitting 52 villages and Rs 2.80 crore is proposed to be spent during the current financial year for the same purpose.

Five Ropeways have so far been constructed and two more would soon be constructed by the board in the state.

The board is also in the process of constructing seven collection centers at Delath, Janedghat, Throla in Shimla, Sunched and Kolkwala in Kangra, Balera in Solan and Bhutti Manal in Sirmour district spending a sum of Rs 17.40 lakh.

Plastic Crate are being distributed among farmers on subsidised rates for collecting, grading and temporary storage of fruit and vegetables. The board has distributed more than 60,000 such crates involving a subsidy of Rs 24.35 lakh.

UNI XC CS/PV DS1148