Shimla:
The Himachal Pradesh government has decided to impose a 1 percent market fee on the trade of all fruits and vegetables across the state. Along with this, the 2014 notification that had earlier provided certain exemptions has been officially withdrawn.
With the new decision, traders dealing in fruits and vegetables will now be required to pay a uniform 1 percent market fee. The move is aimed at regulating agricultural trade and strengthening the functioning of Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs).
The government has also indicated that strict action will be taken against unauthorized roadside markets operating outside notified mandis. Authorities plan to tighten monitoring to ensure that traders conduct business within the regulated mandi framework and comply with the new fee structure.
Officials said the step is expected to streamline market operations, increase transparency in transactions, and boost revenue for the state’s agricultural marketing infrastructure.
