Loss of Veggies/Fruits due to Poor Sales & Lack of Facilities at APMC Yard- Vendors may Halt Trade
Mangaluru: After the Central Market from the City was shifted to Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) Yard in Baikampady, in the outskirts of Mangaluru, life has been not good for the traders in carrying out their business. The District Administration decided to shift the Central Market to avoid overcrowding and maintain social distancing, due to the Covid-19 lockdown. But unfortunately the wholesale traders still continue to face all kinds of hurdles due to lack of facilities and proper space at the APMC Yard- which has resulted in abuse of social distancing, and many are not wearing face masks. (Ref: Chaos & No Social Distancing Seen Even Now at Central Market Operating at APMC Yard -Baikampady)
The APMC Yard built around 20 years ago, and was not being used until recently has resulted in dilapidated godowns, wild grass grown all round the vicinity, reptiles are seen moving around, and recently a python was spotted in the area, and above all, it lacks basic facilities. (Ref: You Can Now Find ‘Python’ among ‘Snake Gourd’ at the Central Market Operating at APMC Yard-Baikampady ). With no proper shops allotted to the vendors, ever since they moved to this yard, they have been selling the products laid on the ground, and many a times customers are reluctant to buy the items since they are covered with dust as bunch of vehicles move in and out. The area seems like total unhygienic, and vendors say that ever since they shifted from the City to this Yard, their business has dropped by 40%, which has resulted in dumping bags and bags of vegetables and fruits into garbage trucks.
A python was spotted recently in a godown at the APMC Yard
Speaking to Team Mangalorean, Mustafa Kunhi-the President of Central Market Merchants Association said, “Due to the rising temperature we are losing quintals of vegetables and fruits, and today we threw about 30-40 bags of chillies, tomatoes, bananas, beans etc., which is a terrible loss. When we were asked to relocate to this Yard, we believed the district officials, but when we came here it was a disaster and we were left helpless and no other option we had to continue our trade. With lack of basic facilities, it’s hard to do business. We start our business during the wee hours of 3 am in the morning, and there are hardly any lights that are working, and we are left in dark to carry on with our sales. If such kind of hardships continue, we may decide to halt our trade, until proper arrangements are made by the district administration”.
And regarding the shifting of the Central Market from the City to APMC yard in the outskirts of the City-Baikampady, Mustafa said, “This move to shift the Central Market from City to APMC yard was done in a hurry, and with no proper intimation to us, but we had no other option but to shift as per strict orders from district admin and MCC. Before they shifted us, facilities should have been upgraded here, which is not done, and traders and retailers are facing hardships. And now we have to face the nuisance of these reptiles. We can’t do business in the open air in the hot sun, and later during the rainy season. Many of us have been doing business at the Central Market for over three decades, and before they demolish the present market building they should give us time so that we can make other arrangements. Forcing us to shift and in the same time demolishing the present market building for a more sophisticated one is not fair at all”.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that a meeting was held with MP Nalin Kumar Kateel to discuss with the situation at APMC Yard, and the MP had assured that he will rectify the problems within the next five days. It is also learnt that during the meeting, Sunil Kumar Bajal-the District General Secretary of CITU had urged the MP to look for a place somewhere within the city limits where the vendors can sell their products, instead of traveling a distance to Baikampady. In response, MP Kateel assured that he will give an answer within the next few days.
