The India Post, Chandigarh, 7th January, 2009 :The introduction of the system of maintaining the gate entry register at the four main entry points of the Subzi Mandi, Sector 26, Chandigarh has led to a marked increase in the arrivals of both fruits and vegetables. The Chandigarh Administration has taken this initiative to resolve problems like relating to pilferage and malpractices in the Mandi. The system was made operational by the UT Administration w.e.f. the January 1, 2009.
A comparative assessment of the average per day arrivals for the first week of January with that of the average per day arrivals for the month of December reveals a marked increase in the arrivals of various fruits and vegetables received in the Mandi. The most stupendous increase has been in the case of arrival of apples which has shown a 446% increase. Increase in arrivals has also been recorded for Kinnu and Cheeku, which have recorded an increase of 119% and 163%, respectively. The arrival of grapes has also shown a significant increase of 58%.
The same trend of increase in average per day arrivals has also been observed in the case of vegetables. The average per day arrival of potato has shown a significant increase of almost 70%, the onion arrival has increased by almost 20 % while the arrival of tomato shows a 55 % increase. The percentage increase is more pronounced in the case of vegetables like cabbage, carrot and radish which have recorded an increase of 134%, 133% and 136% respectively. The arrival of garlic has shown a marked increase of 129 % and that of cauliflower by 80%. The arrival of peas has increased from 290 quintals per day in December to 365 quintals per day in January showing a percentage increase in arrival of up to 25 % with that of brinjal and green chilly having increased by 16% and 13 % respectively.
The main motive behind the exercise is to duly regulate and cross verify the arrivals of the fruits and vegetables to the Mandi which form the basis of the market fees accruing to the Market Committee and to plug the leakages in the system. The details of the vehicles, carrying goods like vehicle number, commodity brought by the producer and its approximate quantity are being recorded in the gate entry register. The system of regulated entry that has been put in place is being regularly supervised by senior officials of the Administration. All efforts are being made to ensure public convenience and for maintaining the smooth inflow of goods.