JOIN USDemonetisation hits onion farmers
The scrapping of the notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denomination by the Central government has severely affected onion traders in the district.
Following a request by the traders, the agriculture produce marketing committee has deferred onion trade for an indefinite period. The traders had requested the APMC to stop trading till the currency situation becomes “normal.”
However, the move has not gone down well with the farmers. They say that they would have to suffer losses in the absence of daily trading.
“Onion is a perishable commodity. It will begin to rot if trading is not resumed. We will not be able to recover our investment,” Sanganna Bellad, a farmer from Amaravathi said.
Bavanagouda Goudar, another onion grower, said that though they were ready to receive the payment even after 15 days, the merchants were unwilling to begin trading.
Bagalkot is a big onion market. Trading in onion is conducted twice a week (Tuesday and Saturday). Last Saturday, as much as 11,426 quintals of onion was traded in the market.
However, the traders have their own take on the issue. They say that farmers insist for notes of Rs 50 and Rs 100 and they won’t accept cheques too.
Deputy Commissioner P A Meghannavar said that the APMC had stopped trading without bringing the matter to his notice. He said he would issue a show-cause notice to the secretary and direct resumption of trading immediately.
Onion purchase centres have remained non-starter in the district. Though five-six centres had been set up in the district last week itself, none of them is purchasing the
produce.
Basavaraj Kenjodi, a farmer, said that the staff at the purchase centres ask
them to bring exactly 50 quintals.
When questioned, the staff said that they were only following the directions of their higher officials.
Elderly man dies waiting at bank
A 96-year-old-man died following low blood pressure when he was standing in a queue at Corporation Bank at Ajekaru to exchange his Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, reports DHNS from Udupi. Gopal Shetty collapsed due to low blood pressure. Though he was rushed to a hospital, he was declared brought dead. He had been to the market to buy items few essentials and later went to exchange the notes. He was said to be fine earlier in the day.