HP to serve contempt notice on Delhi

The Himachal Pradesh government has decided to serve a contempt notice to the Delhi government for charging commission from horticulturists and farmers from Himachal Pradesh at the Azadpur market. Earlier,the Delhi High Court had passed interim orders directing the government of the national capital not to do the same.

The horticulturists selling their apple produce and vegetables at Azadpur Mandi continue to be fleeced by arhthyas — commission agents — in violation of the Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) bylaws.

The decision was taken at a meeting convened by Horticulture minister Narender Bragta with legal experts in Delhi on Tuesday. In a statement issued from Delhi,Bragta said if the Delhi govt does not reply to the notice,a contempt petition would be filed against the Delhi government,chairman of the Delhi Agriculture and Marketing Board and chairman of APMC.

Earlier,Agriculture Secretary Ram Subhag Singh held a meeting on the issue with Principal Secretary-cum-Commissioner (Development),Delhi govt,D M Spolia.