Vegetable Market at Karga Nears Completion; Rs. 6 Crore Proposal Sent for Final Phase: APMC Member Anil Sehgal.
Key infrastructure project in Lahaul expected to fulfill a three-decade-old demand of local farmers.
Shimla:
The long-awaited vegetable market project at Karga under Tandi Panchayat in the Lahaul region of Lahaul-Spiti district has entered its final stage, according to senior District Congress leader and Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) member for Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti, Anil Sehgal.
In a press statement, Sehgal said that the first phase of the project was launched last year and significant progress has been made. The initial phase, which focused on leveling the land for the proposed market, was undertaken with a budget allocation of Rs. 2 crore provided by the APMC.
He further informed that a Detailed Project Report (DPR) worth Re. 6 crore has been prepared for the second phase of the project and submitted to the state government in Shimla for approval. The proposed phase includes the construction of the main vegetable market building, six commercial shops, an auction platform, a canteen, and other essential facilities required for the smooth functioning of the market.
Sehgal said that Lahaul-Spiti MLA Anuradha Rana has been consistently pursuing the matter with Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and the State Agriculture Minister, urging them to expedite approval of the second phase so that construction work can begin without delay.
He added that, in his capacity as an APMC member, he has also met the Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister in Shimla under the leadership of APMC Chairman Mian Ram Singh, requesting immediate sanction of the Rs. 6 crore required for the project’s completion.
Expressing confidence in the leadership of APMC Chairman Mian Ram Singh and the support of all committee members, Sehgal said the project marks a historic milestone for the region. According to him, the establishment of a permanent vegetable market in Lahaul has been a long-pending demand of farmers and residents for nearly 30 years, and the dream is finally becoming a reality under the leadership of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.
Recalling the project’s beginning, Sehgal said that after the budget was sanctioned last year, the foundation stone was laid by State Agriculture Minister Prof. Chander Kumar, MLA Anuradha Rana, and APMC Chairman Mian Ram Singh, in the presence of other dignitaries, including himself as an APMC member.
He stated that he had consistently raised the issue of establishing a vegetable market at Karga in every APMC meeting, and credited the Chief Minister, the Agriculture Minister, Chairman Mian Ram Singh, and fellow committee members for extending full support in realizing the long-standing demand of the people.
Sehgal also criticized the previous state government, claiming that although land had been identified for the vegetable market at Karga, it was neither transferred to the APMC from the Forest Department nor was any adequate budget allocated for the project.
Refuting claims made by the former Agriculture Minister, Sehgal said that the allegation that Rs. 26 crore had been sanctioned by the previous government and later allowed to lapse by the present government was “baseless” and had “no factual basis.”
He expressed hope that Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu would personally visit Lahaul after the project’s completion to dedicate the new vegetable market to the people of the region.
The proposed vegetable market is expected to provide modern marketing infrastructure for local farmers, improve agricultural trade, and strengthen the horticulture and vegetable economy of Lahaul-Spiti.
