Chandigarh, September 9:
The Punjab government has decided to form a 9-member committee to decide on the quantum of commission to be paid to commission agents for cotton crop.
Sharing this information after a meeting Punjab Bhavan here today, Agriculture Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal said that to resolve various issues of cotton farmers and Arhtias, a joint meeting was called to redress the issues of Aartias, farmers and Cotton factory owners in which senior officers Additional Chief Secretary of Agriculture Department Sarvjit Singh and Special Chief Secretary to Chief Minister Ravi Bhagat and Mandi Board Secretary Ravi Bhagat were also present. The Agriculture Minister said that the government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will equally take care of the interests of all the sections of the society for the progress of the state. He said that many issues were resolved on the spot by listening to everyone in the meeting.
Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal said that with the consensus of all, it has been decided to form a 9-member committee to take a decision on the commission to be taken by agents on the cotton crop. The committee will have 2 representatives each of Arhtias, cotton farmers, cotton factory owners and 3 government officials.
During the meeting, the farmers brought an important issue to the notice of the Agriculture Minister that there are illegal encroachments in many grain markets across the state, due to which farmers are facing a lot of problems during the paddy and wheat season. The Agriculture ordered an immediate action to launch a campaign to remove the encroachments at the earliest.
Solving another important issue of Arhtias, the Agriculture Minister said that in view of the difficulties brought to his attention, a decision was taken not to implement land mapping and online purchase for the non MSP crops till MSP for the time being.
Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal further said that during the previous meeting, the Aartias had demanded to reduce the interest on the outstanding amount of their shops in the grain markets, after considering this, the government has decided to bring a one-time settlement scheme to resolve this issue. Along with this on the earlier request by the Aartias, the government has issued a calendar for the auction of vacant plots in the grain markets.
