Management change: ICT takes over reins of Sabzi Mandi from civic agency

Traders decry increase in licence fee, claim transport costs already leaves little profit margin .

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Administration on Thursday formally took charge of Sabzi Mandi in Sector I-11.

The fruit and vegetable market, previously under Capital Development Authority (CDA) control, was turned over after the Ministry of Interior notified the Agriculture Produce and Markets Ordinance (APMO) 2014.

According to an ICT official, the CDA was the legal custodian of the market when the ordinance was drafted in 2002, adding that the ordinance was sent to the interior ministry last November on the direction of the Islamabad High Court in a case relating to extortionists in the vegetable market, but the ministry delayed confirming the change. After the Sabzi Mandi blast on April 9 this year, however, the ICT Administration decided to take control of the market as soon as possible and requested the ministry to amend the ordinance. At least 24 people were killed and hundreds injured in the blast.

ICT Agriculture Director Lubna Ghayas confirmed that the ICT Administration has taken control of the market. She said according to the rules, the administration would control the sale and purchase of vegetables and fruits in the market and also regulate prices. The director said that in Punjab, the ordinance was already in force and being implemented by the provincial government but it was notified late in the capital.

While sharing details, Ghayas said the administration would monitor wholesalers, vendors and commission agents in the market, adding that 80 per cent of a survey to ascertain details of wholesalers and vendors working in the market has been completed.

She informed that Secretariat Assistant Director Nauman Yousaf will be the administrator of the market — a post that was vacant for several years. Ghayas further said that businesses licences with annual fees from Rs12,000 to Rs24,000 will be issued to traders. She said 150 people would be appointed on various posts to regulate the market.

Fee-fi-fo-fum

Meanwhile, Tahir Ayub, the secretary general of the local traders welfare association, disagrees with the “heavy licence fees”. He claims that in Punjab and Karachi, fees are far lower than those in the federal capital. Ayub claimed there is no agriculture land in the federal capital and fruits and vegetables have to be transported from elsewhere. He suggested that the administration encourage traders by minimising the fees.

On the flipside, sources in the agriculture department said the union has monopolised the entire system, with agents setting the prices of commodities, and hoped the monopoly will end after ICT begins regulates the market.

When contacted, Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Mujahid Sherdil said the taking over of the market is a positive step and would help regulate the area. He said the concerns of all the traders would be resolved amicably.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 4^th, 2014.