NMC says no onions and potatoes at temporary veggie markets

Proshun Chakraborty | TNN | Apr 6, 2020, 04:04 IST

Nagpur: Believe it or not, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) that has set up temporary 24 vegetable markets on open grounds across the city to help people during lockdown has barred sale of potatoes and onions in those markets.
Citizens visiting the markets were shocked not to find potatoes and onions. The two are most important vegetables primarily because of their versatility and long shelf life. One cannot imagine cooking without onions and potatoes, was the general reaction of buyers.
Archana Raut, a resident of Reshimbagh, said NMC has done a remarkable job by setting up vegetable market on Reshimbagh ground. “But I am not convinced their decision not to allow sale of potatoes and onions is right one,” she said. The decision will defeat the purpose of lockdown as people will have to make another outing or visit another place to buy potatoes and onions, said Dinesh Palange, another local resident.
Kishan Balpande, a wholesale dealer of onions and potatoes, said he was standing in a queue since 10am to enter Reshimbagh ground. “In the evening the NMC officials told me I will not be allowed there,” said Balpande.
Though municipal commissioner Tukaram Mundhe was not available for comments, a senior NMC official justified civic chief’s decision saying it was to help farmers selling fresh, perishable produce.
He stated that potatoes and onions were available at other markets like Budhwari Bazaar, Itwari, Gokulpeth, Mangalwari etc
Chetan Bhagwan Kewte, a farmer from Dighori, expressed anguish over NMC’s decision to restrict vegetable growers’ entry to Reshimbagh ground to 60 only. Kewte said that as most of the farmers supplying vegetables to city hail from southern part of the district, they prefer Reshimbagh ground.
The NMC official said entry had been restricted at all 24 vegetable markets. NMC is allotting tokens to farmers to do business in designated markets across the city, he said and added the decision had been taken to streamline functioning of all 24 markets in the city.