Fruit, vegetable markets on roadsides allowed

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has decided to allow opening of local fruit and vegetable markets on designated places on the roadsides across the province including the newly merged districts to provide relief to people from the scourge of inflation and ensure cheap availability of fruits and vegetables.

According to an official handout, Minister for Local Government and Rural Development Akbar Ayub Khan said on Wednesday that the decision was meant to end the role of middlemen who used to purchase vegetables and fruits at low rates from farmers and sell at higher rates in the markets.

He said the step would facilitate farmers and local landowners to sell the commodities in their own areas without any restriction and get their just share.

Talking to a delegation of MNAs and MPAs here, the minister said that KP cabinet had already given the approval to implement the law which would also boost employment opportunities to local communities in their own towns, villages and cities.

Under the law, he said a vegetable and fruit market could be set up on two acres of land (16 kanals) roadside.