Onion Auction Resumes at 15 Nashik Markets

Onion auction resumed in Nashik on Wednesday at all 15 Agriculture Produce Market Committees (APMC) in the district after traders called off their two-day strike over the issue of payment of porters.

Traders went on an indefinite 'bandh' over differences between traders and 'mathadi workers' (head-load porters) from Monday onwards.

The bandh was called off late on Tuesday after Maharashtra State Agriculture Marketing Board's executive director, Milind Akre, assured to resolve the matter, here in a meeting with traders, mathadi workers and APMC representatives.

Routine work resumed at APMC at Pimpalgaon Baswant, Lasalgaon, Niphad and in other markets.

According to Pimpalgaon Baswant APMC sources, onions were auctioned on Wednesday between the range of Rs 701 and Rs 1,401 per quintal, and from Rs 400-1,401 per quintal at Niphad APMC.

Traders had gone on strike on Monday and Tuesday issue on differences over how much wages should be paid to porters.

Representatives of traders association Sohanlal Bhandari and Nandkumar Daga told reporters they will stop auctions from July 11, if the levy and other issues were not solved by July 10.