Agriculture Produce Marketing Centre (APMC) in-charge president Rajendra has warned that criminal cases would be filed against wholesale dealers on the APMC premises if they fail to install electronic weighing machines before August 5.
Speaking at a meeting of shop owners and farmers’ leaders here on Friday, he said there were complaints from farmers that wholesale dealers on the APMC premises were deceiving farmers while weighing their produce.
“Farmers in the district are in deep trouble owing to adverse climatic conditions and sudden collapse in prices. Shop owners should install electronic equipments to ensure proper prices to farmers,” he added.
Farmers’ leader B.M. Satish alleged at the meeting that wholesale buyers behaved rudely with farmers and there were instances wherein vegetables were purchased at lower prices after threatening the farmers. The authorities should initiate stringent action against such persons, he stressed.
They also demanded that the APMC provide necessary infrastructure to farmers and wholesale dealers including good roads, transportation facilities and weighing machines.
“Since the Weights and Measures Department has not taken any steps to rectify the loopholes in existing system, the APMC should file a case against the department and appeal for stringent action against them,” they added.
APMC Member Shamrao informed the gathering that 75 per cent of development works on the APMC premises, including cement roads, had been completed.
Farmers’ leader B.M. Satish alleged that wholesale buyers behaved rudely with farmers
