One of the most glaring defects in the planning of the market, is the absence of a drainage system. During the rainy season, the market gives the look of a pond making it difficult for customers to reach the shops.

The approach road to the market and the inner roads are also in a bad shape. They have not been reconstructed or even repaired in the last 27 years. As it is, heavy vehicles leave the road unworthy of use in the normal weather and in the rainy season, the situation deteriorates further.

The market's drainage is almost non-existent and overflowing sewers are a common sight. Cleanliness arrangements are also deplorable, with heaps of garbage and waste material found often.

The shed constructed on the platform of the market leaks from several places during the rains, failing to protect agricultural produce. Apart from this, three mechanical handling units (MHUs) are lying out of order for the past two years.

There is no adequate supply of drinking water and public toilets are also missing here. Most of the street lights remain out of order.

However, Secretary of Kharar Market Committee, Manmohan Kapoor, when contacted, told ENS that there were adequate arrangements of ensuring cleanliness, having proper street light and drinking water supply in the grain market. He blamed the bad condition of roads on lack of funds.

Kapoor said that the financial condition of the market committee was also poor, following which, the compensation fee had not been paid by the committee to the Punjab Marketing Board for the last three years. The persons who got disabled in thresher accidents had also not been compensated. He said that the committee has sought a special financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh from the Board to compensate them.

One of the major demand of the businessmen is to remove the difference of sales tax and market fee between Punjab and Chandigarh. Roop Chand Aggarwal and Chander Shekhar Aggarwal, both leading commission agents of the market, said that business was badly affected due to the difference of taxes between Punjab and Chandigarh.

They further said that the tax prevailing here was 11 per cent, as compared to Chandigarh where it was only 3 per cent. The 4 per cent market fee was another hurdle in the growth of trade here, they said.

Meanwhile, the secretary of the market committee added that arrival of wheat in the local grain market was expected to be double this year as compared to 36,000 quintals of wheat received last year.