Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 3: J&K Kisan Council and members of farmers unions in a meeting here, today under the chairmanship of its president, Tejinder Singh Wazir through virtual mode, discussed some of the acute and practical problems being faced in marketing of vegetables, flowers, fruits and milk producers, sellers as well as the consumers of J&K in the wake of COVID – 19 restrictions.
The participants, while appreciating general restrictions imposed by the Government for people’s safety, appealed to the UT Government and administration headed by Lt. Governor, Manoj Sinha to consider and grant some necessarily required extension in timings of work for marketing of vegetable, flower, fruit and milk producers, farmers and sellers during restrictions. It said flowers, fruit, fresh milk and vegetables suffered losses worth Rs 20 crore and the farming community of entire UT is in trouble as farmers face hardships.
It said likewise sellers and retailers as well as vendors have not adequate time to dispose off these perishable commodities, especially during this hot Summer season when these items, if leftover, lose their quality, value and marketability soon and can’t be preserved for the next day;
“We appeal Navin Kumar Choudhery, Principal Sectary Agriculture Production Department to take up this matter with Government and increase time slot at least eight hours a day. The time slot of 7a.m. to 9a.m. currently adds to rush and obstructs social distancing norms in the market place”, the meeting added.
The meeting appealed that the timings for opening and running of grocery shops, sale outlets and functioning of vendors of vegetables, flowers, fruits and milk be extended from the currently authorized brief time slot of 06-00 a.m. to 4 00 pm with full COVID protocol.
It was further urged the Government that the suggestion of the Kissan Council be given due consideration in the interest of farming community and the consumer public in general.
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