Growers allege being ‘forced’ to take agriculture, horticulture tools from selective dealers
Anantnag: The growers in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district have alleged that officials from the agriculture and horticulture departments are forcing them to purchase tools from selective dealers.
They said that if the government is helping growers by providing them different tools on subsidised prices then they must be given free hand to purchase their tools from any dealer.
Few dealers also said that a nexus is going on between a few dealers and the departments that is why they have been forcing growers to take tools from selective dealers.
They said that the department employees are then getting their commission from these dealers for sending customers to them.
The dealers said that growers must be given the choice to take tools from any dealer they want so that there won’t be any doubts in the minds of the public and all dealers can earn their livelihood.
They further added that this can provide growers a chance to choose good quality items and there won’t be any compromise on quality.
They said that the issue was brought into the notice of concerned authorities several times and for sometime the process stopped but later the practice resumes again.
The growers requested the concerned authorities to look into the matter at an earliest and take immediate steps in this regard.
They also sought the attention of District Magistrate Anantnag in this regard.
Jahangeer Ganaie
