Fruit, vegetable commission agents go on strike

Ludhiana: Ludhiana Fruit Mandi Ahrtiyas (commission agents) Association members started their protest at Bahadurke Road market area on Monday, by going on a strike. The association had given an ultimatum to Mandi Board last week demanding cancellation of the parking contract of their market.
The members of association, along with Sabji Mandi Ahrtiyas Association, sat on a strike in the market area raising slogans against Mandi Board and administration. The commission agents also called upon rehri farhi, fruit retailers and other organisations to join their protest. It was week ago when a parking contractor of the market, along with his accomplice, attacked a member of Ludhiana Fruit Mandi Ahrti Association with sharp-edged weapons after he objected to collection of parking fees by the contractor.
The association members have claimed that the parking fees being imposed on them is illegal for they are already paying the same, along with other charges to Mandi Board.
President of the Fruit Mandi Arhti Association, Kamal Gumber, said, “It is really very shocking that despite our meetings and written memorandum to the Mandi Board, the parking fees continues being charged in the market. This is happening even after several officials of the Board assured that the matter would be resolved by Saturday. We gave one week’s time to the authorities for cancelling the parking contract, but the parking fee was charged on Monday too. We are already paying all sorts of fees and charges to Mandi Board and as per contract, there is no need to pay any sort of parking fee to any contractor. Even if the Mandi Board wants to add some additional charges, what is the need to rope in middlemen like parking contractor for doing the same; they can charge directly from us.”
President of Sabji Mandi Ahrtiyas Association, Gurkamal preet Singh, supporting the association members’ cause said, “Our fight is against the parking mafia which is involved in the business of charging parking fees illegally and indulging into violence just to spread terror. They are running an extortion network as they charge four to five times the fees. They do not even refrain from attacking us and our customers whenever their illegal collections are resisted. Last Sunday, a customer was attacked. We cannot conduct our business smoothly in such an environment where we are constantly fearing for our lives.” He added that with their repeated reminders to Mandi Board and concerned officials falling on deaf ears, they finally decided to sit on an indefinite strike till the parking contract of the market is cancelled permanently.
Speaking to TOI, secretary of market committee Beer Inder Singh said, “The parking contract and parking fee are legal and have been fixed only as per rules. Hence, there is no way parking fee can be waived off. But we will look into the complaints from the association members about overcharging and threatening by existing parking contractor. If found guilty, appropriate action will be taken against the contractor.”