Centre issues model law to end APMC monopoly

States, if they agree, will need to adopt this as farm marketing is in their jurisidiction

The central government on Monday issued its model of a law to replace the one of 2003 for the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) Act. Under the new model, buyers might not have to pay more than 1 per cent of the transacted value as mandi fee in case of fruit and vegetables and two per cent in case of other items.

Agriculture is a state subject; the Centre can recommend what it wishes to see. The new model would open the door for multiple modes for sale and purchase of produce — private wholesale market ('mandis'), market yards operated