The e-auctioning of cocoons resumed in the cocoon market here on Saturday. The farmers, on Friday, had decided to stop trading in the market for an indefinite period, if e-auctioning did not resume on Monday (September 26).
On September 19, at a meeting chaired by the deputy commissioner in which Sericulture Development Commissioner and MLA M Rajanna took part, it was decided to allow open auction till Thursday and resume e-auctioning from Friday itself. The decision was unanimous. Accordingly, reelers took part in the open auction held on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. But, the reelers boycotted the e-auction which was scheduled to be held on Friday.
Since reelers refused to take part in the e-auctioning, several sericulture farmers were about to take back their produce. However, tahsildar Manorama held talks with the reelers and ensured that e-auction was conducted. By that time, a majority of the silk growers had taken back their produce.
Following this, the farmers, in an emergency meeting, had decided to boycott trading at the market for an indefinite period. In this backdrop, tight security was provided to the cocoon market on Saturday.
Surprisingly, the e-auctioning went off smoothly on Saturday. As much as 370 lots of cocoon was brought to the market. Two hundred reelers conducted e-auctioning using their mobile phones and purchased the whole lot.
Cocoon auction
Rathnaiah Setty, Deputy Director of Cocoon Market, said that 16,497 kg of cocoons was auctioned without any hiccup. The produce traded at a maximum price of Rs 432 and minimum of Rs 200. The cocoons were auctioned at an average price of Rs 375. He said that owing to Friday’s confusion, sericulturists had brought limited quantity of cocoons to market and from Sunday onwards, the arrivals would go up to 900 lots, he said.
Meanwhile, the members of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Hasiru Sene on Saturday, submitted a memorandum to the commissioner of sericulture department, seeking construction of a hi-tech cocoon market on the outskirts of the town.The members, in their memorandum, have stated that the cocoon market in Shidlaghatta was the largest one in Asia. Highest quantity of cocoon was being traded at the market. However, the market lacks basic infrastructure affecting the farmers as well as the business. Though a hi-tech market has been sanctioned to the town three years ago, the project has been gathering dust.
Basics not met
They have said that the present market was located in the heart of the town and transportation of cocoons had become a huge problem due to lack of road a connectivity. Furthermore, the market is also congested given the quantity of arrivals as a result of which farmers have been facing difficulty in bringing their produce to the market. The market also lacks basic facilities such as toilet, drinking water and night shelter. Though a number of memorandums had been submitted to the authorities concerned listing out the deficiencies in the market, no steps had been taken to rectify them.
Memorandum’s view
“Unauthorised people have been disturbing peace and tranquillity in the market,” the memorandum said. They said that on account of these reasons, a suitable and vast location should be identified for setting up the market on the outskirts of the town. The farmers have also warned of launching an agitation if their demand was not met.
Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Hasiru Sene district president Bhaktarahalli Byregowda, Yaluvalli Sonnegowda, Mallur Harish and others were present.They submitted a memorandum to the deputy director of cocoon market, addressed to the commissioner.