The Nashik Agricultural Produce Market Committee has decided to shift all transactions within its market premises to an online system, a move intended to improve transparency and reduce the risk of financial fraud involving farmers. The transactions will be conducted through commission agents, administrative committee chairman Ganesh Gite said after a committee meeting held at the market committee’s main office.
The decision was announced after the second meeting of the market committee’s administrative board, held on October 29. Gite chaired the meeting, which was attended by board members Balasaheb Sanap, Bapu Pingle and Sachin Dhikle, along with acting secretary Vijay Nikam, officers and employees.
According to the committee, digitising transactions through commission agents is expected to create a clearer record of dealings between farmers and traders. The announcement did not specify a date for implementation, the technology platform to be used or the detailed process for farmers and commission agents to access the system.
The meeting also approved or discussed several administrative and infrastructure-related measures across the market yards. The administration has been directed to submit an official proposal to the state government for extending the Seventh Pay Commission to market committee employees. A decision was also taken to distribute uniforms to employees.
At the Sharadchandra Pawar Market Yard on Panchavati and Dindori Road, the committee plans to establish an electric vehicle charging station under the build-operate-transfer model. The committee also plans to enter into an agreement with Sulabh Shauchalaya for sanitation and facility management within the market premises.
The stalled construction of the old administrative building on Peth Road is to be restarted, with an allocation of Rs 41 lakh. The committee has directed that the work be completed within four months. Other matters discussed included restarting the market yard weighbridge, appointing security guards, inviting a tender for cleaning services and constructing 30 shops in the fruit market.
The committee also said efforts were under way to complete the remaining shops in the commercial complex and provide a hostel for farmers’ children at nominal rates. These measures link the market committee’s operational role with wider facilities for workers, traders and farming families using the market yards.
Gite further said the committee’s income had increased by around Rs 65 lakh within a month of the administrative board taking charge. The committee intends to expand its revenue sources and use them to provide additional facilities for farmers, according to the statement issued after the meeting.
The online transaction decision will now require operational rules, system deployment and implementation through the commission-agent network. The committee’s stated next steps include advancing the infrastructure works, submitting the employee pay proposal to the state government and completing the old administrative building within the specified four-month period.
