TSEWANG RIGZIN
LEH: Several representatives of the Farmers Cooperative Marketing Society Leh met Member Parliament (Ladakh) Thupstan Chhewang and Chairman Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Leh Dr. Sonam Dawa on Wednesday complaining that many quantities of produces like carrots and potatoes by farmers are not being accepted by the army supply units in Leh on the pretext of quality and size.
The farmers alleged that they have been supplying same qualities and size of vegetable to the army since 1962 but they are having problem of getting items not accepted by the army only this year. Farmers alleged that they have to wait for the whole day at the supply unit and comeback dejected when their items are rejected.
“Even if there is a scratch on a potato or a carrot, it is rejected,” one of the farmers told STATE TIMES adding that it is impossible to grow all potatoes or carrots or onions all of the same size. Farmers had earlier sought relaxation on the size of vegetables as Ladakh has short summers and vegetables are grown in harsh climatic conditions.
“Ladakh’s vegetables don’t cost the army even freight charges of airlifting. We supply fresh vegetables within a distance of 20 kilometres,” said Tsewang Namgyal, a farmer from Saboo.
“I took it up with the army today and got a very positive response from the army. Army will accept all vegetables and our farmers have been advised to improved quality of the produces,” CEC, Dr. Dawa told STATE TIMES. Meanwhile MP Ladakh has also assured farmers that he too would intervene to sort things out with the army.
“We have written to the Defence Minister through the MP several times but no concrete result came about so far. Army should recognise that we fought wars shoulder to shoulder with the army and we will do so in future also,” said Riyaz Ahmad.
A member of the Farmers Cooperative Society Sham told STATE TIMES that cooperatives at different places in Leh District are having the same problem although Ladakhi famers supply fresh vegetables to the army unlike the ones being brought from outside Ladakh.
