Mail News Service
Jamshedpur, Sep 4: The Jharkhand government’s proposal to impose a Mandi Tax on the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) has ignited considerable controversy and protests across the state. In response, the Singhbhum Chamber of Commerce and Industry has launched a movement against the tax, reflecting widespread discontent among traders and farmers.
Today, a crucial meeting took place at the Agriculture Directorate in Ranchi, bringing together government officials, trade organizations, and farmers. Singhbhum Chamber of Commerce and Industry representatives, including Vice President Anil Modi, Vyapar Mandal President Deepak Bhalotia, and Vice President Pawan Naredi, voiced their concerns. Anil Modi highlighted the potential risks posed by the Mandi Tax to the survival of traders, presenting several demands to the government.
Modi proposed the formation of a society of veteran traders to oversee the maintenance and development of the market committee. He also called for the conversion of existing market committee shops into two-storey structures, which traders would fund and use as offices and warehouses. Additionally, he urged that shops be leased to experienced traders, similar to practices in other states, and that the Parsudih market committee be developed into a major, attractive market rather than a series of warehouses.
Furthermore, Modi advocated for the establishment of a cold storage facility in the market committee to store perishable goods and emphasized the need for improved infrastructure, including sanitation facilities, road repairs, drinking water, and CCTV cameras for security.
In response, the minister assured that the government is not planning to impose the Mandi Tax. Instead, the focus will be on supporting both farmers and traders. The minister committed to personally visiting the market committees to address their issues and ensure their concerns are met.
