The traders of 247 agricultural produce Mandis of the state have decided to keep the market closed on Friday in protest against an ordinance passed by the central government in June. Along with Rajasthan, protests are being held in Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh by keeping the Mandis closed. Mandi traders in Jaipur are about to gather at Kukarkheda Mandi on Friday at 11 am to protest against the ordinance.
According to Babulal Gupta, president of Rajasthan Foodstuffs Trade Association, the Indian Government issued the Agricultural Product Trade and Commerce Promotion and Facilitation Ordinance-2020. In this ordinance, Mandi tax has been made mandatory for traders and people doing business in agricultural Mandis. Traders, mill operators and warehouses working from outside the Mandis have been kept free from this. Gupta says that "This has reached the verge of ending business in the Mandis, while anti-social elements have become active outside the Mandis. Protests are being held for a day now. There will be a meeting of traders on August 23, in which the decision of indefinite bandh can also be taken".
According to the President of the Food Trade Association, the ordinance provides that traders, mill operators and warehouses working outside the Mandis will be able to buy and sell without paying the mandi license and without mandi cess. It can also buy and sell agricultural commodities outside the state without a license and without market cess. People who are doing business in Mandis with a huge amount are facing a threat. Traders demand that either the Mandi cess and other cesses are eliminated outside the Mandi, in the same way, it should be abolished in the Mandis. If the central government cannot do this, then the market tax applicable in the state should also be collected from the traders working outside the market.
Subramanian Swamy advised CBI in Sushant Singh Rajput's case
US submitted letter UN to reimpose all sanctions on Iran
TVM Airport privatization: Kerala Government goes against the centre's decision
