In a development that defeats the very purpose of having kisan mandis, non-farmers have come to dominate these markets across Mohali and Kharar that were set up with the aim of promoting farmers to sell their farm-fresh vegetables and fruits directly to the consumers.

These markets are reportedly providing space to traders and vendors for their brisk business. Not only vegetables and fruits, adulterated and low-quality pulses, cereals and spices are also being put up for sale here. Infact, the nine kisan mandis, held everyday in different parts of Mohali and Kharar, also offer undergarments, calendars, posters and unhygienic eatables at prices relative to the whims and fancies of the sellers.

Official information procured under the Right to Information Act has confirmed that against 200 farmers, 237 rehri-phariwallas are registered sellers at these markets in Mohali district.

The sale of unhygienic and adulterated food items not only poses serious health hazards to the consumers but also grossly violates the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. There is neither any facility for farmers and consumers at these markets, nor any control on the rates of commodities being sold here.

A round to the mandi held in Sector 68, on Friday, revealed that hundreds of vendors were selling vegetables, fruits and plenty of non-farm products with non-farmers outnumbering farmers in the exercise.

A person was found selling pulses and cereals at a uniform rate of Rs 25 per kilogram on a horse-cart (rehra) when the rates of such commodities in the open market are much higher. It was later found that not only was the stock adulterated, but also low on quality.

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