BELAGAVI
The Karnataka High Court has dismissed the petitions filed by Jai Kisan Vegetable Market, a major supplier of vegetables to Goa, challenging the agriculture department’s cancellation of its trade licence. The court stated that the petitioners should have first approached the Karnataka Administrative Tribunal, since disputes involving government-issued trade licences fall under its jurisdiction.
The licence had been revoked after the department alleged irregularities in the market’s functioning and claimed that the project, which was meant to benefit farmers, had instead allowed private traders to dominate operations. Farmers’ groups had raised complaints that the market was no longer serving its original purpose.
Minister Satish Jarkiholi had earlier directed the agriculture department to review the market’s activities and take corrective steps, leading to the inquiry and licence cancellation. Jai Kisan management challenged the decision in court. A separate case regarding land-use permissions is listed for hearing on November 3.
