Aurangabad, Dec 15:
In its interim orders, Aurangabad bench of Bombay High Court comprising Justice S V Gangapurwala and Justice S D Kulkarni has issued directives not to take action against Omkar Cotton Agro Industries which purchased soyabean outside Parbhani Agriculture Produce Committee (APMC). The next hearing has been placed after six months.
According to details, the Central Government passed Farmers'' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020. This allows farmers to trade their produce beyond the premises of the APMC market. Omkar Cotton Agro Industries purchased soybean out of Parbhani APMC which issued a show-cause notice to it on November 11.
In the notice, the petitioner was asked to pay the market fee and additional charges within three days.
He replied to the notice and also filed a petition in the HC court.
In the petition, it was stated that farmers were allowed to sell their produces out of market committee premises as per the Farmers'' Produce Trade and Commerce Act, so, the notice of APMC is a violation of the Act. The petitioner requested the court to cancel the notice.
Marketing Department director issued a letter for the implementation of the new agriculture acts. But, the State Government stayed the use of farm acts.
“Though there is a difference between Central and State Government laws, however, the law of Central Government is superior. The notice of APMC stands illegal in such a situation,” this was brought to the notice of the court by senior lawyer Rajendra Deshmukh who appeared for the petitioner.
Advocates Amol Joshi and Devang Deshmukh assisted adv Rajendra. Adv KM Lokhande represented the Government. The court has issued orders not to take any action against the petitioner.