State flexes muscle, APMC traders call off 5-day strike

The Vashi-based APMC wholesale market wears an empty look on Tuesday due to the statewide indefinite workers’ strike, which was called off Wednesday. (Photo: Asian Age)

Following an aggressive stand by the ministers of marketing, cooperative and revenue departments, traders of the Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) called off their five-day-old strike on Wednesday. The state government said there would be no discrimination and equal law would be applicable for both the traders who wish to sell their produce in the open market or through the APMC. However, the state did not disclose what would be the final solution over selling fruits and vegetables in the open market. Meanwhile, some traders from Nashik rejected the offer of the ministers and announced their intention to continue with the strike.

As assured on Monday, the meeting at Mantralaya on Wednesday included representatives of APMC traders from Navi Mumbai, Nashik, Aurangabad, Pune and from other parts of the state and ministers. During the talks, the traders were stuck on removal of de-listing of fruits and vegetables from the APMC market.

Subhash Deshmukh, minister for cooperation and marketing, MoS for marketing Sadabhau Khot and revenue minister Chandrakant Patil, who was earlier cooperation minister, took part in the dialogue.

Ashok Hande, leader of traders from Navi Mumbai APMC, has demanded that equal law be applied on all traders, including those who trade inside and outside APMC.

Mr Patil and Mr Deshmukh assured the trade leaders that they would not discriminate between traders and would make changes in law accordingly. However, the trade leaders were in no mood to listen. Finally, Mr Patil warned them that traders can go their own way and the state would take strict action against those who will not start the APMC from tomorrow (Thursday).

Buckling under pressure, the traders accepted that a new ordinance factoring in some of their demands would be promulgated by August 6. They also called off the strike in the presence of the ministers.

“Till the new ordinance is issued next month, APMC will start its functions, they will not collect any tax from farmers,” Mr Patil warned the traders. The trade leaders accepted this condition. Mr Hande made the announcement of calling off the strike.

Mr Patil said that the government would take care of farmers, as it is the priority of the state. He said it would also take care of mathadi workers and “of course,” APMC.

Meanwhile, some leaders from Nashik shouted during the meeting that they do not agree with the decision to call off the strike and said Nashik APMC would continue its strike.

Later in the day, Mr Khot met Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray to get BMC’s support for the farmers to bring and sell their vegetables in the open market.

The state Cabinet had last week taken a decision to de-list vegetables and fruits from APMC and allowed farmers to sell their produce in the open market. An ordinance was also issued to implement the decision as the assembly is currently not in session.

According to the ordinance, farmers and traders who will sell their produce in the open market will be free from any fee including cess and other taxes or charges payable to APMC. The decision was welcomed by farmers and farmer leaders including newly inducted minister of state for marketing, Sadabhau Khot and his leader, MP Raju Shetty.