Though it may sound strange but enforcement of Model Code of Conduct in wake of the ensuing assembly polls has hit hard the sale of dry-fruits in the city. The politicians who in past used to give bulk orders of dry fruits for gifting purpose during Diwali are refraining this year from it as it might land them in deep trouble ahead of the polls. Their act may attract action against them for violating poll code.
The traders claim that dry fruit sales have gone down by 50 per cent this festive season. Dry fruits are one of the most sought after gifting items. Politicians, corporate managers as well as top officials in public-sector take pride in gifting dry-fruits to their employees or valued customers as Diwali gift. But this year, government officers, industrialists and other people are avoiding giving away such gifts as they fear it might entails poll code breach.
Dry-fruit retailers claim that their sale has declined by almost 50% this year. Fantasy Bakery owner, Vishal Talreja told Free Press that they never thought that enforcement of model code of conduct could hit their business so hard. Diwali is the time when we expect a huge profit but this year the dry-fruit market has not picked up and we are not expecting any further sale in coming days, he added.
Nitin Jain of Aggrawal Rich Dry Fruits Collection said, “Definitely the sale has gone down. The demand for dry fruits during festive season remains high and Navratri and Diwali are considered to be the peak time for sale of dry-fruits but it is sad that this year we have to witness the decline.”
Manish Ahuja of Ahuja Proteins told Free Press that about 50% of the sale of dry-fruit has done down and not only because of the enforcement of poll code enforcement but also due to high prices of the dry-fruits. We might have to face loss this year, he added.