100 days of Modi govt: Fruits, veggies de-listed from APMC Act in Delhi
New Delhi, September 8: What UPA government could not do in 10 years of long rule, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government did on September 4, Thursday.
Delhiites will now be able to buy fruits and vegetables at 20% to 25% lower prices as compared to market prices.
What is APMC Act?
Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee Act (APMC) Act, 1998 has finally de-listed fruits and vegetables from its ambit, it means, the government can buy them directly from farmers and sell at lower prices as compared to that of market rates.
Delhi government had de-listed fruits and vegetables from the APMC Act on July 19 this year.
Farmers to consumers- Direct contact
According to Business Standard report, the authorities began selling onions and tomatoes form Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh-based farmers and sold them at half rates (as compared to market prices) to consumers.
Small Farmers' Agri-Business Consortium (SFAC)- a society under the agriculture ministry, Managing Director (MD) Pravesh Sharma was quoted as saying, "This is a sort of soft-launch of our initiative to allow farmers sell their produce directly to consumers. A full-fledged kisan-mandi is expected to be started in the capital by November."
The Hindu reported that on Tuesday, in a notification, Delhi's Lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung approved the proposal to cease regulation of marketing of fruits and vegetables in the market area beyond the principal yard and sub-yard at three vegetable mandis (APMC markets) - Azadpur Keshopur and Shahdara.
The move will also help in promoting "competitive pricing" as the bulk buyers would be able to purchase fruits and vegetables from anywhere as per their choice.
Co-operatives like SAFAL, NAFED, Mother Dairy, Kisan Mandi and SFAC will also be able to set up new markets.
OneIndia News