The State government has revoked the licence of Jai Kisan market, a private agricultural produce market in Belagavi, citing multiple rule violations and failure to protect farmers’ interests.
The Department of Agricultural Marketing issued the cancellation order against the Jai Kisan Wholesale Vegetable Merchant Association, which had secured the licence in 2021. The decision has triggered mixed reactions, with some farmer groups backing the move while others staging protests.
According to the APMC Director’s detailed order, the association was found guilty of violating 10 departmental rules along with certain provisions of the Revenue Department. The lapses included charging commission from farmers, poor record-keeping, non-compliance with weights and measures, absence of electronic weighing machines, lack of transparency in bidding, sales based on private agreements instead of auctions, non-installation of rate boards, and sale of produce at fixed rates. Other violations included failure to implement Kannada, lack of cold storage and banking facilities, no laboratory for quality testing, inadequate farmer amenities, and irregular practices such as farm gate pricing.
The order was passed under the Karnataka Agricultural Produce Market Business (Regulation and Development) Act, 1966, following an inquiry by a senior officer. The probe was initiated after Bharatiya Krishik Samaj president Sidagouda Modagi alleged that the private market was exploiting farmers.
The association also faces charges of establishing the market on land obtained through manipulated documents. The Belagavi Urban Development Authority, after investigation, had already withdrawn its land conversion approval.
On Tuesday, Krishik Samaj members and other farmers staged a day-long protest at the Deputy Commissioner’s office demanding the market’s immediate closure. During the agitation, one protester who climbed a tree fell and sustained minor injuries.
In contrast, on Wednesday, another group of farmers rallied to the DC’s office urging the government to allow the private market to continue. Meanwhile, officials at the APMC Yard said business in grains and vegetables had picked up after the licence cancellation.
