Probe ordered into Krishi Bazar Samiti irregularities

Newly inducted Jharkhand Agriculture Minister Banna Gupta today said he has initiated steps to free all the Krishi Bazar Samitis in the state from brokers and middlemen to protect the interest of the farmers.
Gupta, who has visited the Krishi Bazar Samiti at Parsudih here today, has ordered a departmental probe after he detected some irregularities in the functioning of the Samiti.
"During my visit, I have found vehicles without proper gate passes are parked inside the Samiti premises, which was in violation of its guidelines," Gupta told newsmen.
There could be a nexus between officials and brokers as, Gupta said, he came to know that foodgrain-laden trucks were unloaded in the market instead of the Samiti premises.

Krishi Bazar was meant for storage of foodgrains and welfare of the farmers community but a godown was alloted to store liquor and also has a liquor shop in the premises, in violation of the norms, the Congress MLA said.
The objective behind establishing the Krishi Bazar Samities was to extend benefits to the farmers community, he said adding that his ministry was exploring all possibilities to enhance revenue generation and improve infrastructure.

Asked about the demand from some quarters for dismantle of the Krishi Bazar Samities, he said it was not a solution but "we should rather explore possibilities to make it more viable and profitable."

Out of the total 28 Krishi Bazar Samities, only the ones in Ranchi, Dhanbad and Jamshedpur were profit making, Gupta said adding officials of the department would meet here tomorrow to discuss the demand.
While Ranchi Krishi Bazar Samiti has recorded a profit of Rs 24 crore, Dhanbad and Jamshedpur registered Rs 8 crore and Rs 11 crore profit respectively, he said but could not provide the total loss being incurred by other samitis..