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Srinagar, Sep 17 (UNI) The Jammu and Kashmir government will take stringent action against all unscrupulous and unregistered transport agencies in the state for allegedly creating scarcity of trucks to overcharge freight rate during peak season, an official spokesman said today.

State Horticulture, PHE, Irrigation, Flood Control and Tourism Minister Mohammad Dilawar Mir has directed senior functionaries of the transport, police and horticulture departments in this regard.

Mr Mir convened a high-level meeting here to address the concerns of horticulturists who had alleged that some unscrupulous agencies were charging exorbitant freight rates from them for transporting fruits from the Kashmir valley to different parts of the country.

The Minister called for immediate closure of all unregistered and fake companies and agencies.

He directed the transport authorities to submit the last three year's rate structure for carriage of fruit from the state to outside markets so that uniformity and reasonability of rates for current year is maintained.

Mr Mir also directed for strict enforcement of the Agricultural Produce Marketing and Grading (APMG) act, aimed at regulating markets and eliminating exploitation by middlemen and touts.

He sought cooperation of fruit growers in implementing the Act.

Revenue generated under the Act would be used for strengthening infrastructure of markets making them self-sustained, he added.

UNI AG MS BD1550