Chapter IV MANDALA KARSHAKA PARISHAD

1. (1) There shall be constituted for each Mandal by the Government, by notification, a Mandala Karshaka Parishad which shall consist of the following categories of persons who are registered voters in the Mandal concerned under the Representation of the People Act, 1950,—
   • (i) farmers who are owners of agricultural lands and engaged in agricultural operations, as also, tenants, share-croppers, lessees and cultivators;
   • (ii) persons engaged in pisciculture, and in such other occupations as may be notified, from time to time.: Provided that in Mandals comprised or falling in any local area or city for which a Municipality or, as the case may be a Municipal Corporation is constituted and the population of growers of agricultural produce within the Mandal comprising or falling in such local area or city is comparatively less, it shall be lawful for the Government not to constitute a Parishad .
2. (2) There shall be an executive committee for the parishad consisting of,—
   • (i) a President and ten other members to be elected by the members of the parishad from among themselves in the manner prescribed :
   • (ii) Presidents of the Primary Agricultural Co-operative Societies in the Mandal, ex-officio: Provided that ex-officio members shall have a right to speak in and otherwise to take part in the proceedings of any meeting of the parishad but shall not be entitled to vote at any such meeting.
3. (3) The term of office of the President and the members of the executive Committee shall be three years from the date of election.

For the purposes of this Act, the Parishad shall maintain a register of all persons who are members of the parishad separately in respect of each commodity in such form and subject to such conditions as may be prescribed. The registration shall be renewed in such manner as may be prescribed. Explanation:— For the removal of doubts it is hereby declared that the mere registration of a person as member in respect of one particular commodity shall not dis-entitle him for securing the services of the parishad for the other commodities cultivated by him.

The members of the Parishad registered in respect of each commodity grown in the Mandal shall elect a person from among themselves as a delegate to the concerned Federation, with which the parishad intends to federate: Provided that no member shall be eligible to represent the Parishad in more than one Federation as a delegate.

There shall be a President for each Parishad who shall be elected from among themselves by the members of the Parishad in the manner prescribed: Provided that a President of any Co-operative Society, or of a Mandala Praja Parishad, Chairman of a Zilla Praja Parishad or of a Municipality, Member of the Legislative Assembly or of either House of Parliament shall be eligible to be elected as President of the Parishad, but he shall cease to hold that office unless within fifteen days from the date of election to the office of President of the Parishad, he ceases to be the holder of any of the aforesaid offices by resignation or otherwise; and if a President of the Parishad subsequently becomes the holder of any of the aforesaid offices, he shall cease to hold the office of President of the Parishad unless within fifteen days from the date on which he becomes the holder of any one of those offices, he ceases to hold such office by resignation or otherwise.

The functions of the Parishad shall be :-

1. (i) to render services to the farming community within its jurisdiction in regard to all aspects of farming agricultural operations, horticulture, pisciculture, farm forestry and such other activities as may be notified from time to time which contribute to agricultural production and development;
2. (ii) to initiate appropriate measures for better and economic use of land and water for agricultural purposes;
3. (iii) to promote the activities ancillary to agricultural production, like marketing, processing and connected operations;
4. (iv) to take up any other incidental activities and schemes which contribute to the above objectives including those entrusted by the Government and to take all necessary measures in order to improve the economic conditions of the farming community

The Parishad shall have power,—

1. (i) to buy on pre-emption upto twenty five percent of the quantity of any commodity at the highest bid price secured in the market yard;
2. (ii) to issue directions to its members in regard to the furtherance of its objectives and functions, which shall be complied with ;
3. (iii) to levy fine or compound offences relating to contravention of lawful directions issued by the Parishad
4. (iv) to review all schemes taken up under section 15 and implemented in the Mandal and to improve the economic well-being of the farming community;
5. (v) for the common good of the farming community in the Mandal,—

1. (a) to decide the manner of supplying seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and the like and agricultural credit ;
2. (b) to decide the manner of implementation of crop development activities of the various departments and bodies in the Mandal;
   • (vi) to fix and levy fees on its members.

The monies of the Parishad shall consist of,--

1. (i) fees levied on its members;
2. (ii) any funds received from Government, Rashtra Parishad, Federation or other body or individual by way of share capital, grant, other financial assistance and assets transferred to it;
3. (iii) market fees and other charges collected in the market yards under the Agricultural Produce and Livestock Markets Act, 1966 including share of fees from the market commtitees;
4. (iv) such share in such taxes as may be notified from time to time.

1. (1) With the previous approval of competent authority the bodies constituted under this Act may appcint such officers and employees as they consider necessary for the performance of their functions under this Act.
2. (2) The terms and conditions of appointment and service, and emoluments of such officers and employees shall be such as may be specified in the bye-laws.