Shimla/Kangra, February 14:
Himachal Pradesh is currently grappling with a deepening financial crisis, and the situation may worsen following the discontinuation of the Revenue Deficit Grant from the Centre. At a time when the government led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has been emphasizing austerity measures and exploring new revenue sources, a 10-member team from the Kangra Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) has left for an 11-day study tour to Kerala, triggering political controversy.
11-Day Study Visit
According to official information, the APMC Kangra delegation departed on February 11 from Kangra to Chandigarh by road and then flew to Kerala. The tour will continue until February 21. The entire expenditure of the 11-day visit is being borne by APMC Kangra itself.
The delegation includes APMC Chairman Narendra Kumar Chaudhary (Nishu), members Jaswant Dhardwal, Suresh Pataku, Kartar Singh, Ravinder Rana, Vijay Rana, and Ajay Kumar. Secretary Shagun Sood, an accountant, a female staff member Jyoti, and a guide are also part of the team. Officials stated that the tour was organized after obtaining prior approval from the State Marketing Board and the government.
Objective: Studying Kerala’s Market Model
As per the APMC statement, the purpose of the visit is to study the modern infrastructure, storage systems, and fruit and vegetable marketing models adopted in Kerala’s mandis. Chairman Narendra Kumar Chaudhary said the team aims to understand new technologies, cold storage systems, e-marketing platforms, and mandi management practices.
On Friday, the delegation visited a tea factory in the Munnar region to observe modern processing and packaging systems. According to officials, implementing similar models in Kangra’s markets could help farmers secure better prices and improved facilities.
Opposition Alleges “Unnecessary Expenditure”
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly criticized the tour. Party spokesperson Sandeepani Bhardwaj described it as a “pleasure trip at public expense,” alleging that while the state cites financial constraints, officials and board members are being sent on out-of-state tours.
The BJP argued that such visits send contradictory signals when the government is advocating fiscal discipline. The opposition also questioned how much tangible and immediate benefit farmers would derive from sending the entire board on an 11-day tour, especially when the government’s tenure has less than two years remaining.
Marketing Board Chairman’s Clarification
State Marketing Board Chairman Kuldeep Pathania responded, stating that he recently assumed office and that approval for the tour had been granted before he took charge. He added that he does not have complete details regarding the tour’s itinerary or expenses.
Bigger Question: Study or Spending?
Given the state’s fragile financial condition, the issue has expanded beyond a routine departmental visit. While the government talks about expenditure cuts and resource mobilization, the Kerala tour is expected to cost several lakhs of rupees.
All eyes are now on the APMC team’s post-visit report. If concrete recommendations are made and implemented effectively—resulting in better markets, improved infrastructure, and higher income for farmers—the tour may be justified. Otherwise, it risks being viewed as an example of avoidable spending during a period of economic stress.
