Sealing of vegetable markets leaves vendors in the lurch

Hubballi: The closure of vegetable markets in Navanagar, a burgeoning residential borough between Hubballi and Dharwad, by the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) has irked both vendors and residents alike. Although the move may help arrest the upward spiral of Covid-19 in the twin cities, it has rendered scores of vendors who operate in these markets temporarily jobless.
The vast open space at Ambedkar Bhavan serves as a perfect forum for farmers in neighbouring villages such as Amargol, Gamanagatti, Sutagatti, Sattur and Navalur to sell their produce directly to the customers, and HDMC’s decision to close the market place has dealt a serve blow to their fortunes. In addition to the farmers, several vendors eke out a livelihood plying fruits and vegetables purchased from the wholesale market, all of whom have been hit hard by the move.
President of the Navanagar Tarakari Vyaparasthara Sangha (Navanagar Vegetable Vendors’ Association) HN Savantanavar said that each trader at the market was abiding by the safety norms prescribed by the HDMC. “But we’re being refused permission to sell vegetables here still. This is why most of the traders have taken to selling their stock at Panchakshari Nagar and Siddapajja temple. But we are being chased away there as well. All of us have obtained the necessary trade licence from HDMC,” Savatanavar told TOI.
Vice-president of the association Sharavva Angadi questioned the arbitrary decision of the HDMC to seal the market in Navanagar. “Vegetable and fruit markets are operating across the twin cities. The officials say it is because of the number of Covid-19 cases here, but Vidyanagar in Hubballi reports the largest number of cases, but the weekly markets are being allowed there,” Sharavva said.
Navanagar resident Prasanna Prabhuodeyaramath said that residents had now been robbed of a chance to get fresh vegetables at competitive prices. “As a result, we are forced to purchase vegetables at prices considerably higher. Why have markets in Hubballi-Dharwad not been shut although the cities are accounting for most Covid-19 cases?” he asked.
HDMC commissioner Suresh Itnal said that a few areas in Navanagar had been sealed. “But the problems faced by the vendors and residents have been brought to my attention, and I will ensure they are resolved at the earliest,” Itnal said.
Caption: Vegetable market at Amberkad Bhavan in Navanagar, Hubballi, is locked down by HDMC officials.