Biometric system will keep tabs on Pune's 'mathadis'

The state agriculture and marketing minister, Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, on Saturday said the state government has decided to introduce the biometric system in all market yards in the state to maintain a record of head loaders (mathadis).

Vikhe-Patil was addressing the gathering in the 42nd annual general meeting of Maharashtra state agriculture produce market committee's cooperative federation at Alpa Bachat Bhavan in the city.

He said, "We have observed that most of the mathadis are not working in the market yards. To curb these irregularities, the biometric system would help in maintaining their records,'' he said.

Along with Vikhe-Patil, the minister of state for revenue and marketing Prakash Solankhe, chairman of State Market Committee Co-operative Federation (SMCCF) Dilip Mohite and other dignitaries were present.

Vikhe-Patil said, "There have been reports of rules being defied by mathadis and this has to be curbed. There is a need to bring in more discipline,'' he said.

He also said the loopholes in the functioning of the market yards need to be plugged. Vikhe-Patil said, "The computerisation in all market yards will be completed very soon,'' he said.

Solankhe said, "The condition of C and D class market yards is poor and that has to be changed.''