Market Fee Under Punjab Agriculture Produce Markets Act Distinct From Fees Under Rural Development Act : Supreme Court

In a recent ruling, the Supreme Court upheld Punjab's 2003 policy granting exemptions from market fees and rural development fees on notified agricultural produce. The court dismissed the contention that the policy discriminated against traders outside Punjab, emphasizing the state's autonomy in agricultural matters under the Constitution. It clarified that the policy's objective was to support farmers and rural development, not to create unjust benefits for local traders. This decision reinforces state authority over agricultural policies and clarifies the constitutional framework governing such exemptions.