Belagavi: The state govt will shut down private APMC named Jai Kisan Wholesale Vegetable Market in Belagavi and farmers need not harbour any doubts, said agriculture marketing minister Shivanand Patil. Legal amendments will be made if required and govt will neither allow nor encourage private APMCs, the minister said.Patil met leaders from Bharatiya Krishik Samaj and Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha in a meeting held at agriculture marketing department office in Bengaluru on Wednesday.The minister said they need documentary evidence to support the closure. “Submit any documents you have. We are also collecting reports from officials. The govt will act without allowing any legal loopholes,” he said.The minister also said action will be taken against those who illegally collected commissions and exploited farmers.Patil said the govt plans to form a committee, including farmer representatives, to compile a report. Besides, a meeting with district minister Satish Jarkiholi and urban development minister Byrathi Suresh will be held.He said the state stands firmly with the farmers. “As promised in our election manifesto, we are restoring the APMC Act and reviving public APMC markets across the state.”Sidagouda Modagi, president of the Bharatiya Krishik Samaj, Chunappa Pujari, a leader from Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, and former Belagavi APMC president Shivanagouda Patil participated in the meeting and demanded the govt take immediate action.
