The Government has deregulated fruit and vegetables from local market fees so that these can be available at lower prices to consumers.
According to Cooperation Department Secretary Bishnupada Sethi, the government has exempted fruits and vegetable from the purview of the regulated market committees (RMCs) because these products are perishable and need to flow smoothly throughout the State.
The RMCs were charging a market fee of one per cent of the waybill value from the farmers and traders carrying the products at their check-gates.
As a result of the exemption of these items from the purview of the RMCs, no more the market committees can collect the levy from farmers and traders, Sethi said, adding that this would reduce the prices of fruits and vegetables, stop harassment of farmers and traders at the RMC check-gates where sometimes they used to get stuck.
It would also reduce corruption besides helping the farmers and consumers, he said.