In order to reduce the price gap between producers and consumers through reduction in intermediation of supply chain, create alternative marketing channels and promote investment on development of marketing infrastructure with private sector participation, States have been asked to deregulate marketing of fruits and vegetables outside the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) yards.

So far, 14 States have deregulated fruits and vegetables from APMC Acts, though in different models.  Statement containing the State-wise details is given below.

Since, the measure is intended to reduce supply chain  and create competition in marketing of fruits and vegetables, therefore, it has inherent potential to make available these food items to consumers’ at reasonable prices along with to enhance farmers’ profit with their open choice of selling to anybody , anywhere, wherever get the better prices.

Status of de-notification of fruits and vegetables

1.      Madhya Pradesh –State by amendment of 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, has  put outside the ambit of market regulations.  

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

3.      Karnataka – State 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.

4.      Assam- State has cancelled fruits and vegetables from the relevant Schedule of the Act.

5.      Himachal Pradesh - State has exempted mandi fee on all fruits and vegetables except Apple. Instead, service charge imposed.

6.      Haryana – State has reduced market fees on all fruits and vegetables to 0%.

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

8.      Meghalaya – State has amended schedule to the Act and omitted fruits and vegetables (except Potato) from its Schedule.

9.      West Bengal – State has exempted the market fee on fruits & vegetables.      

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

11.  Rajasthan - State has exempted the market fee on fruits & vegetables.  Instead, State has imposed user charge on fruits and vegetables.

12.  Chhattisgarh – State has exempted the market fee on fruits & vegetables.

13.  Gujarat – State has exempted the market fee on fruits & vegetables.  Instead, State has imposed user charge on fruits and vegetables.

14.  Maharashtra - State 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.

This information was given by The Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Shri C.R Chaudhary while replying to a written in Lok Sabha today

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NCJ/AK