Srinagar, Sep 16: In a move aimed at protecting fruit growers and traders from exploitation, the Regional Transport Officer (RTO) Kashmir has issued strict directions to curb overcharging by transport companies operating in fruit mandis across the Valley.
The order follows mounting complaints that transporters have been levying exorbitant and unjustified fares on consignments of fruit, causing heavy losses to growers and mandi traders at a critical time in the harvest season.
The circular, issued under No. TC/JK-MV/PS/2025/595/55-69 and dated September 16, 2025, has been addressed to all Assistant Regional Transport Officers of the Kashmir division. It directs immediate constitution of Special Enforcement Teams in each jurisdiction to monitor operations in mandis and take prompt action against violations.
According to the order, the enforcement teams are tasked with carrying out frequent and surprise inspections at all prominent fruit mandis. The objective, the RTO said, is to ensure that growers and sellers are not subjected to harassment or forced to pay inflated transport charges during the peak marketing season.
“The practice of overcharging is unjustified and causes undue hardship to the farming community. This malpractice must be curbed at once to safeguard the interests of fruit growers and the trading community,” the order states.
To maintain accountability, the RTO has made daily compliance reports mandatory. Each enforcement team will be required to submit a written update to the RTO’s office, documenting inspections, actions taken, and the redressal of complaints received.
In a special instruction, the order assigns ARTO Mauzam Ali of Srinagar the additional responsibility of covering two districts per day. His enforcement team is directed to file an action-taken report in every case where complaints are raised.
The directive comes at a time when fruit growers, particularly apple farmers in south and north Kashmir, have been struggling with transportation challenges due to frequent highway closures and weather-related disruptions. With perishable produce at risk of spoilage, growers have repeatedly voiced frustration over being compelled to pay arbitrary rates to move their consignments to outside markets.
Traders in mandis said the RTO’s order was much needed. “For weeks, we have been forced to pay far higher rates than usual. The growers are already hit by losses due to delays on the highway, and overcharging by transporters only adds to their suffering. If enforced properly, this directive can bring some relief,” said a trader at Parimpora Fruit Mandi in Srinagar. (KNT)
