Vegetable prices rise as small vendors go on strike

The small stall owners in vegetable markets have gone on indefinite strike after the market committee decided to given the collection of market committee fee on contract basis. It needs to be mentioned that as of now Rs 50 per day is being collected by market committee as fee from these vendors and Rs 1.5 crores is the annual collection, however the committee has decided to give this collection on contract and it has been learnt that the tenders have been called with reserve price of Rs 1 crore. The more than 700 pherri walas in sabzi mandi have stopped purchasing vegetables from the wholesalers in the mandi due to which the shortage of vegetables has also occurred in the retail market as well. This has resulted in escalation of prices of vegetables for consumers.

The pherriwalas have apprehension that auction of contract will go at a higher price and later the contractor will charge them more than Rs 50.

Amarvir Singh, President of Ludhiana wholesale fruits and vegetables association confirmed the strike and said that now they are ordering for a limited supply of vegetables and fruits because the major chunk is not being purchased. Meanwhile the prices of tomatoes, onions, cauliflower, carrots etc vegetables have gone more then double in the market.

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