Veggie prices may go up as strike at Kalamna market to hit supply | Nagpur News

Nagpur: The strike called by a section of bulk traders and commission agents in vegetables at the Kalamna Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee’s (APMC) yard from Thursday may disrupt supply and lead to rise in prices. Even as another section of traders and agents would be working, the strike is likely to leave an adverse impact, said sources.Neighbourhood vendors said common vegetables, which are in the range of Rs30 to Rs40 per kg, may reach Rs50 or beyond. “For example, tomatoes and peas, which are priced around Rs30 a kg, are quite likely to touch Rs40 at least. Drumsticks, which are already on the higher side at Rs120, may even touch Rs200,” said a vendor.

Striking traders said the bulk rates have already gone up. For example, tomatoes are Rs12 a kg from Rs8, cauliflower is around Rs30, double the earlier level, and drumsticks, which are the costliest, are Rs90 a kg in the wholesale market itself. A slew of other vegetables got costlier by at least Rs20 a kg in the markets even before the strike. “The majority is on our side,” said Avdesh Shukla of Jai Kisan Vyapari Sangh which is protesting against allocations of sheds in the market, alleging partiality towards members of the Yuva Adatiya Union, which mostly comprises commission agents.Both the factions are claiming a majority. Nandkishore Gaur of Yuva Adatiya Union claimed a majority, saying that supplies will not be disrupted at all. “Only a handful of traders are on strike,” he said. However, a govt source said local farmers can always bring the vegetables directly for the consumers.The APMC management, which includes an officer of the state’s Department of Cooperatives appointed as a secretary, said they are taking efforts to keep the market unaffected, and police is deployed so that the striking faction does not obstruct arrivals at the market. “It would be ensured that those not on strike are able to conduct business peacefully,” said Dinesh Chandel, the APMC secretary. On the striking faction’s demand, he said the matter is sub-judice.