Pic: Minister Shivanad Patil in BelagaviBelagavi: Amid the ongoing dispute between traders of the govt-run APMC wholesale vegetable market and the recently shut Jai Kisan Private Wholesale Vegetable Market, APMC minister Shivanand Patil on Sunday proposed setting up a supplementary wholesale vegetable market in Belagavi city under the APMC framework.
Speaking to media after visiting the APMC yard, Patil said efforts were under way to resolve the controversy amicably, keeping the interests of farmers in mind. “There is no provision in the existing law to allow private markets to function. However, if required, an additional market yard can be established under the APMC,” he clarified. During his visit, the minister witnessed a heated verbal exchange between traders associated with the Jai Kisan market and those operating from the APMC yard. Traders from the private market alleged irregularities in the allotment and usage of shops within the APMC premises. They claimed that several individuals who acquired shops through the tender process were not genuine traders. According to them, some allottees took 2 or 3 shops by investing money and later leased them out at high rents, effectively pushing out long-time traders. The Jai Kisan traders further claimed that most of them did not own shops in the APMC yard and, with no vacancies available, original traders were struggling to sustain their livelihoods. They argued that the Jai Kisan market gained popularity among farmers due to better services offered by its traders, resulting in a higher turnout of farmers when compared to the govt APMC market. They said the closure of the private market left farmers dissatisfied and disrupted the established marketing system. Urging the minister to intervene, they demanded a practical solution that would accommodate all traders, especially those who were engaged in the business for several years. Responding to these concerns, minister Patil assured the traders that the matter would be addressed after consultations with local MLAs and the district minister. He reiterated that the govt could consider establishing an additional market yard under the APMC to ensure that both traders and farmers were not adversely affected.
