Nashik onion markets stay closed for second day

Agriculture Produce Market Committees (APMCs) in Nashik region remained closed for the second day over the stalemate of 2kg less per quintal and who should pay for the gunny bags as traders and farmers refused to budge from their positions.

After the violent incident in Mungase near Malegaon on Thursday, a Shiv Sena delegation led by MLA Dada Bhuse staged an agitation in front of the sub-divisional office in Malegaon condemning the lathi-charge on farmers, and demanded an inquiry into the matter. Therafter, APMCs in Nashik, Manmad, Pimpalgaon, Mungase and Lasalgaon have remained closed.

The APMC in Lasalgaon will remain closed till a sound agreement between the farmers and the traders is reached, it was announced. A series of meetings have already taken place in this regard.

Speaking to DNA, Jaydatta Holkar, chairman of Lasalgaon APMC, said, “The market is closed and no transaction is taking place. The issue is that of the 2kg less in a quintal, which has been the system. Now that the government has issued a directive stating that no cuts should be counted and that the stock has be taken as it is, the traders are demanding that farmers bring onion packed in gunny bags. This is impractical.

“They have also demanded 2% increase on the tax (adat). The APMC is considering their demands and will soon arrive at a decision which will not be taxing to the farmers.”