Vegetables and fruits will likely become costly in the days to come, with traders, mathadis (head loaders), transporters, commission agents of all five markets of agriculture produce market committee in Vashi have decided to go on indefinite strike from Wednesday. They were already on a token strike on Tuesday to protest the state's to de-notify all agriculture commodities from mandis.
Around 5,000 traders and 70,000 mathadi workers from APMC Vashi will join the indefinite strike. Traders are opposing an ordinance that allowed farmers and traders sell agricultural produce within and outside the APMCs.
The Grain, Rice and Oilseeds Merchants Association (GROMA), Navi Mumbai Merchants Chamber and Chamber of Associations of Maharashtra Industry trade met on Tuesday and decided to intensify their protest. "We have decided to go on indefinite strike against the ordinance," said Bhimji Bhanushali, secretary, GROMA.
Bhanushali said the ordinance is against the trader community and people working in APMCs across the state. "We will call off the strike only after a written assurance from the state." Grain, spice, vegetables, fruits and onion and potato markets at APMC Vashi remained shut through the day.
"There will be no supply of fruits, vegetables, onion and potato in Mumbai due to strike and price rise cannot be ruled out," added Bhanushali.
Narendra Patil, Member of Legislative Council and a mathadi union leader, said nearly 2.5 lakh headloaders from across the state will also join the strike.
Sanjay Pansare, former fruit market director at APMC-Vashi, explained the challenges they will face because of the ordinance. "APMC traders work under various Acts and they have to pay different charges. Earlier, sellers used to pay cess while selling their produce. Now, buyers have to pay those taxes. Why will anyone buy any products when the same can be purchased at low cost outside APMC?"
Meanwhile, fresh stock fruits and vegetables didn't arrive at the Vashi market. Patil said they transporters are also supporting the protest.