Srinagar, Dec 6, KNT: The Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered an immediate crackdown on covert and non-transparent auctioning practices in fruit and vegetable markets across the Union Territory, warning traders and commission agents of strict legal action, including cancellation of licences.
In a circular issued on Saturday, the Directorate of Horticulture Planning and Marketing said it has received multiple reports and inputs, including through social media, indicating that auctioning of horticulture produce in some markets is being carried out in an undercover and illegal manner. The department said such practices are a direct violation of the laws and regulations governing market operations.
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The circular stated that the government has established fruit and vegetable markets across the UT to provide fair and efficient marketing facilities to growers and traders, with a clear mandate to ensure transparent regulation of all transactions. Any deviation from open auction procedures, it said, undermines transparency and accountability in the system.
Directing all stakeholders to act immediately, the department said all forms of undercover auctioning must be discontinued forthwith and that only open auction procedures conducted in a fair, transparent and accountable manner will be permitted in the markets.
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The circular further warned that any individual, trader or commission agent found conducting or facilitating trade through covert means will face legal action. This includes immediate cancellation of licences along with other consequences deemed appropriate under law.
All concerned officials, fruit associations and market functionaries have been instructed to ensure strict compliance with the directions in letter and spirit. The circular, issued by Director Horticulture Planning and Marketing Ghulam Jeelani Zargar, has been circulated to senior horticulture officers and fruit associations across Jammu and Kashmir for enforcement. [KNT]
