Why Are Market Stalls So Cheap? BJP Walks Out in Protest

A debate over the price of market stalls erupted in the Himachal Pradesh assembly on Wednesday, leading to a heated confrontation between the ruling government and the opposition BJP.

The controversy centers on the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) in Parala Mandi. Naina Devi MLA Randhir Sharma accused the committee of selling shops at a significant loss to public funds. He claimed that while the same stalls were auctioned for ₹83,000 ten years ago, they were recently allotted for just ₹50,000 each.

Sharma leveled serious allegations, stating, “Despite receiving 133 applications, the APMC only kept the papers of the 70 people who were chosen. The rest were rejected and discarded, raising questions about the fairness of the process.”

In response, Agriculture Minister Chander Kumar defended the government’s actions. He explained that applications were invited for 70 shops across three locations—Prala, Shilaru, and Totu—and all eligible applicants were allotted stalls according to the rules. “An inquiry was conducted into these allegations,” Kumar stated, “and it found no wrongdoing.”

Unsatisfied with the minister’s explanation, the opposition BJP staged a walkout, raising slogans against the government.

Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur argued that the state government was favoring its allies at the expense of the public. “The Sukhu government has helped their favorites by rejecting all other applications,” Thakur charged. “They are ignoring the state’s interests to benefit a select few. The APMC, which should protect our farmers and growers, is instead protecting the interests of certain businessmen.”

The protest highlights growing tensions over transparency and the allocation of public resources in the state.