PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss has alleged that corruption worth about Rs 500 crore has taken place in Tamil Nadu’s regulated market yards, and called on the state government to order an inquiry.
In a statement, he said the Agriculture Marketing Department oversees 27 district market committees, under which 284 regulated market yards and 13 sub-regulated yards are functioning. These yards are meant to help farmers secure better prices by selling produce through indirect auctions.
He said traders are charged a 1% market fee on the total value of purchases, and alleged that large-scale irregularities have occurred in the handling of these collections. He further claimed that, in collusion with traders, farmers are made to accept lower procurement prices.
Anbumani pointed to a government order that allows market committees to spend amounts below Rs 5 lakh on maintenance and development, alleging it has become a route for misuse. He claimed funds are split into multiple Rs 5 lakh tranches and shown as spent on various works.
Citing farmers’ allegations, he said corruption of around Rs 500 crore may have occurred across the state over the past four years, and urged the government to initiate an investigation.
