He was speaking at a felicitation and interactive meeting organised by the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) here on Wednesday.

Replying to a memorandum submitted by the KCCI which urged APMC to withdraw the case filed against those merchants who were carrying out business transactions outside the notified area, he said APMC and merchants should function together for the development.

He said “in spite of providing basic facilities at APMC yard in Baikampady, merchants are not coming forward to shift their business to Baikampady yard. The government is also following dual policy with regard to notification and denotification of Bunder area. After the BJP government came into force, Bunder was declared as sub yard and the matter is before the High Court on the division of main yard and sub yard.”

To a demand to open a counter at APMC old office at Nellikai road to facilitate the payment of weekly returns and market fee, Hegde said “though the sanctioned post to APMC is 36, the APMC has only 12 staff. With limited staff, it would be difficult to open a counter in the city. However, we will see that no inconvenience is meted out to the merchants while paying the weekly returns and market fee.”

To another demand on returning the seized sites and godowns to the owners at the APMC yard, Hegde said that as per the agreement of the APMC Act, the merchants who had purchased sites, should get the blue print of their project approved in the APMC within 365 days and start the work on the building. If they fail to do so, the APMC has to seize the property. “If the merchants file an affidavit in the court and get the court order to release the seized property, we will help do all the needful,” he promised.

A shipping agent Nithyananda Pai urged the APMC to simplify the procedures for getting license for the shippers who export maize. To which, Hegde replied positively.

Agri business policy

Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry will host a programme to discuss on the proposed agri business policy of the State government on May 31 at KCCI. Principal Secretary of Agriculture will take part in the programme.  KCCI President G G Mohandas Prabhu welcomed the gathering.