14 states deregulate fruits and vegetables marketing

Ahead of the roll-out of the goods and services tax that would herald a new nationwide market for farmers across the country, 14 states have deregulated fruits and vegetables from the purview of the respective Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMC) of the states concerned.

The move is expected to help reduce the gap between producer prices and consumer prices through reduction in intermediation of supply chain, create alternative marketing channels and promote investment on development of marketing infrastructure with private sector participation.

The centre has asked states to deregulate marketing of fruits and vegetables outside the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) yards t facilitate inter-state movements of farm produce.

So far, 14 states have deregulated fruits and vegetables from APMC Acts, though in different models. 

''Since, the measure is intended to reduce supply chain  and create competition in marketing of fruits and vegetables, it has inherent potential to make available these food items to consumers at reasonable prices while also enhancing farmers' profit with their open choice of selling to anybody, anywhere, wherever get the better prices,'' an official release stated.

Status of de-notification of fruits and vegetables:

Madhya Pradesh made amendment to the principal Act, agriculture produce notified in Part VII & VIII of the Schedule (fruits and vegetables). Except banana, which is purchased or sold outside the notified market yard, all other fruits and vegetables have  been put outside the ambit of market regulations. 

Nagaland has exempted collection of market fee on all horticultural commodities.

Karnataka has provided that no market fee is leviable on flowers, fruits and vegetables. Instead, the market committee may collect user charges in respect of above articles.

Assam has cancelled fruits and vegetables from the relevant schedule of the Act.

Himachal Pradesh has exempted mandi fee on all fruits and vegetables except apple and instead imposed service charge.

Haryana has reduced market fees on all fruits and vegetables to zero per cent.

Delhi has ceased the regulation of fruits and vegetables outside redefined market yard/ sub-yard area of APMC, MNI, Azadpur, APMC, Keshopur and APMC Shahdara.

Meghalaya has amended schedule to the Act and omitted fruits and vegetables (except potato) from its schedule.

West Bengal has waived market fee on fruits and vegetables.     

Odisha has excluded the agricultural produce, namely, fruits and vegetables in relation to the market areas of al Regulated Market Committees (RMCs) in the state.

Rajasthan has exempted the market fee on fruits and vegetables. Instead, the state has imposed user charge on fruits and vegetables.

Chhattisgarh has exempted the market fee on fruits and vegetables.

Gujarat has exempted the market fee on fruits and vegetables. Instead, the state has imposed user charge on fruits and vegetables.

Maharashtra through promulgation of an ordinance provided that marketing of fruits and vegetables and condiments, spices and others (ginger, garlic, coriander and chillies) by any person outside the market, shall not require any license or permission. Marketing of above agricultural produces shall not be regulated by market committee.

Minister of state for consumer affairs, food and public distribution CR Chaudhary gave this information in a written in the Lok Sabha today.