Mein for early setting up of spice centers

Our Correspondent

ITANAGAR, June 6: Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein has urged the State Horticulture department to complete the formalities and start the infrastructure development work of auction centers at Namsai, Kimin and Balukpong immediately.

He gave this directive while convening a meeting of senior officers of the department and the Spice Board on the establishment of auction centers in the State on Tuesday evening, an official release informed. While reiterating the need of establishing auction centers in the State, Mein informed that Rs 20 crores has been allocated in the Budget for establishment of three Spices Auction Centres at Namsai, Kimin and Balukpong, for market outlet license to be taken by the Agricultural Marketing Board at Siliguri for direct sale opportunities in the main market and for procurement of large cardamom driers in the State.

He said that auction centers would help to boost the farmer’s economy as it would do away with the middleman since the buyers of the agriculture and horticulture produce would come to buy directly from the farmers in these auction centers once it is established. Mein said that initially the farmers might face problems but in the long run it would greatly boost their economy.