Asia’s largest onion market reopens after 7-day strike

Asia’s largest onion market in Lasalgaon, Nashik, which was shut for a week due to the traders’ strike, reopened on Wednesday. Minister for markets Harshvardhan Patil told DNA that the strike had been called off.

The traders were protesting a civil court’s order that traders would have to pay a levy on labour costs in the APMC market there.

“We have come to settle the matter regarding the tax we are paying on labour. It is a heavy burden for us,” said a representative of the traders at the meeting held with the market and labour departments. “We have agreed to collect the tax and are going to court,” they added.

Patil said the high court had ruled that all labour levies should be paid by traders, not farmers. The civil courts had brought a stay on it. However, a new petition has been filed in the high court and hearing will come up on July 7.

Ministers and secretaries of markets and labour departments have also decided to form a committee that will comprise Mathadi labour representatives and traders under the district collector.