States shouldn't charge more than 1% as mandi fee: NITI Aayog's Chand

Chand's comments come hours before the central government is slated to hold the fifth round of negotiations with farmers' unions to end the now weeklong blockade of Delhi.

The issue of level playing field on taxes between an Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) and free-trade areas outside it, as defined by the farm Acts, can be resolved if states lower mandi fees to less than 1 per cent and a similar rate is charged on all outside transaction, NITI Aayog Member Ramesh Chand said.
 
Commenting on the middle path the Centre seems to have suggested during the last round of negotiations with protesting farmers’ groups, Chand said now that the Centre has shown willingness to make adjustments in the Acts, it is now up to farm leaders