Congress has expressed its dismay about the Madhya Pradesh government’s decision to raise fees at mandis by holding a protest in the state on Thursday, July 31, which will put an additional burden on farmers, traders, commission agents and consumers.
The party said there will be protests in the outside of mandi committees in each district and then memorandums will be submitted to the Governor calling for the withdrawal of the modified mandi fee.
A State level virtual meet of the Congress Industry and Trade Cell was held and the protest strategy was chalked out with the participation of the different office bearers of the Congress of various districts in Madhya Pradesh. Party leaders issued orders for all district units to start getting ready for the statewide agitation.
Congress leaders pointed out that the state of Madhya Pradesh has one of the highest mandi fee structure among some other states already. They claimed a higher hike in fee would have a detrimental impact on agricultural trade, as well as adding unnecessary huge charges to the farmers and the traders.
The party also alleged that the raised mandi rates would also lead to rise in prices of agricultural produce in the market, which would affect the consumers as well.
Congress termed the move as a public interest one and affirmed its impact on the entire agri value chain, not only on the farmers who grow crops but also on traders who trade it, and the consumers who buy food stuff.
The opposition party has hinted that they will keep on agitating if the state government doesn’t backtrack the fee hike, in the coming weeks.
The matter is likely to escalate into a political hornets’ nest in Madhya Pradesh as the Congress will try to stir trouble between the farmers and the traders with the government’s move.