The protest of agro-traders against the recent amendment to APMC Act will reach its fourth day on Saturday. The prices of vegetables and fruits are going up steadily since the strike began on Wednesday.

The Hopcoms, Lalbagh, however, maintains that the strike has not affected the price of either fruits or vegetables and there has been a steady increase of customers at Hopcoms ever since the protest began.

D M Subbanna, Manager of Procurement and Marketing, Hopcoms Lalbagh said: “Hopcoms has the lowest prices for fruits and vegetables compared to other market places. There has been a small change in the prices of vegetables at a rate of Rs 1 or 2 recently, which is a regular phenomenon and these figures are unaffected by the protest.”

Subbanna also informed that Hopcoms has nearly fifteen thousand farmers from Bangalore urban, rural and Kolar district as registered members.

Marginal changes
Since these framers have been supplying all the commodities on time to the procurement centres at Kanakapura, Channapatna, Sarjapur and Hoskote there is no reason to worry for the time being.

But Subbanna also points out that if the protest continues for a long time there could be marginal changes in the prices of vegetables and fruits, but not more than ten percent of the current price.

Surprisingly, the situation at Russel market is completely different. Prices of some vegetables and fruits have doubled ever since the protest began.

Beans which cost Rs 20 a kg at Hopcoms is priced at Rs 40 at Russel market, a kg of capsicum costing Rs 22 at Hopcoms will cost Rs 40 at the market. Similarly the price of cucumber and beetroot has skyrocketed from Rs 5 and Rs 8 per kg at Hopcoms to Rs 20 each at Russel market.

Incidentally, flowers are also costing more due to the protest. Tyagaraju, who runs Devi Flower Stall at Russel market has also increased the prices of flowers. A kg of jasmine which cost Rs 80 to 100 before the protest costs Rs 120, roses are priced at Rs 80 a kg compared to Rs 40 before. Similarly lily and marigold will cost Rs 25 and Rs 30 a kg compared to the previous price of Rs 20 a kg.

Protest
Merchants and farmers’ associations took out rallies in Bangalore on Saturday, urging the State government to withdraw amendments.

NTMA President B P Dinesh termed the new Act as a death knell to the farmers and traders. The association decided to intensify the stir if the State government failed to respond positively. More than 4,000 persons participated in the rally.

KPRS rally
Karnataka Prantha Raitha Sangha (KPRS) also took out a rally from Mysore Bank which culminated at the deputy commissioner’s office