Commission to abolished at Indore mandi after discussion

Bhopal, July 31 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh Agriculture Minister Choudhary Chandrabhan Singh today told the Assembly that steps would be taken to end commission on vegetables at Indore Agricultural Produce Market after taking concerned parties into confidence.

Mr Singh made the statement while replying to a debate on a call attention motion on illegal collection of commission on garlic crops at the Indore Mandi.

Dissatisfied with the minister's reply, the main opposition staged a walkout from the assembly.

Earlier, Mr Singh said strict measures were taken to stop collection of commission from sellers on potato, onions and garlic in the mandi but traders protested by closing trade for a week against the decision.

For resolving the situation, the government consulted all parties concerned and reduced the commission from seven per cent to four-and-half per cent.

Leader of Opposition Jamuna Devi described the minister's reply as irresponsible. She alleged that the government was in nexus with businessmen and was ignoring the welfare of farmers.

She said collecting commission at Indore mandi was not appropriate when charging of commission had been stopped at other mandis by enacting a law.

Mr Antar Singh Darbar (Cong) alleged that Rs 300 crore had been illegally collected from Indore mandi after collection of commission was ended from all mandis in the state in 1992.

Participating in the debate, Mr Sajjan Singh Verma, Mr Govind Singh and other members asked whether the government would enforce laws of the state.

Amidst heated exchange, Speaker Ishwardas Rohani suggested the minister to work out a solution after discussion with people's representatives of the area and concerned parties.

After the minister's reply, the opposition staged a walkout.

UNI