Badal announces concessions for commission agents

Chandigarh, Mar 15 (UNI) Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today announced to issue licenses to the ''Kacha Arhtias'' (temporary commission agents) on permanent basis by market committees, thereby doing away with prevalent practice of renewal after every three years.

Presiding over a meeting of Federation of Arhtia Associations of Punjab here, Mr Badal thanked the federation and rice millers association for their support and cooperation for the SAD-BJP alliance during the recent Assembly elections.

The Chief Minister said his government was fully aware of the problems of ''Arhtias'' and promised to address them on priority basis.

Referring to other demands put forth by the federation, he assured the Arhtias that in future no license would be cancelled during the procurement season. It would be suspended only in exceptional circumstances of grave irregularities.

He announced to give due representation to the members of Arhtias in the committees proposed to be set up for allotment of shops in the newly constructed mandis on the competitive prices.

Mr Badal assured the federation that he would look into their age-old ties with the farming community in the changed scenario. He sought cooperation from the federation to bear with the government for generation of additional resources for overall development and progress in the state.

Federation President Ravinder Singh Cheema submitted a charter of demands relating to Punjab State Electricity Board, Food and Civil Supplies and Excise and Taxation departments to the Chief Minister who assured the government would sympathetically consider the genuine demands of the federation.

Cooperation Minister Capt Kanawaljit Singh: Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Adesh Partap Singh: PWD (B&R) Parminder Singh Dhindsa: Agriculture Minister Sucha Singh Langah: Financial Commissioner Development G S Sandhu: Mandi Board Secretary Kulbir Singh: Punjab BKU President Balbir Singh Rajewal and Rice Millers Association President Tarsem Lal Saini were present on the occasion.

UNI