APMC blinks first, calls off strike two days after state govt threatened to suspend permits

Two days after the state government threatened to suspend permits of commission agents and dissolve agriculture produce market committees, the Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) strike was called off yesterday

Two days after the state government threatened to suspend permits of commission agents and dissolve agriculture produce market committees, the Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) strike was called off yesterday.

Commission agents have agreed not to charge commission from farmers who trade produce in APMC market yards. File pic

At a meeting with state marketing minister Subhash Deshmukh and his deputy Sada Khot, the commission agents agreed that they would not charge commission from farmers who trade produce in APMC market yards.

Special committee
As per yesterday’s negotiations, a special committee will decide on rules and regulations that need to be implemented to give a level playing ground for the people who trade inside and outside APMCs. The commission agents and APMCs want this to happen because they fear financial losses.

The strike
The strike was called to protest the new APMC Act, which allowed farmers to trade outside of APMC yards. Farmers are empowered to sell their produce directly to retailers and traders and not pay commission, market cess and loading and unloading charges. The decision is aimed at reducing end retail price and helps farmers save money.

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