Traders across Maharashtra have launched a strike to oppose the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee Act of 1963, which they describe as outdated. As a result, all APMCs in the state were shut on Friday. The action was coordinated by the Maharashtra Rajya Kruti Samiti, a coalition of five trading organisations. The strike was expected to disrupt operations in major market yards and the movement of goods, including oils, spices, vegetables, and fruits, from Kolhapur and Pune to Navi Mumbai.
In Navi Mumbai, the response was mixed. The food grains and spice markets remained closed, while the fruit, vegetable, onion, and potato markets stayed open. The trading community stated that they supported the strike despite some essential markets continuing to operate. Sanjay Pansare, former secretary of the APMC Traders' Association, told ETV Bharat, "We are in complete support of this strike because we feel this Act is rather outdated." He added that "traders who follow the regulations while conducting business in the market committee are suffering due to the open markets. We are demanding that the law be the same for everyone."
Traders want the government to repeal the APMC Act of 1963, citing changes in logistics, packaging, and retail systems. They oppose the APMC market cess, arguing that it remains in place despite the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax. They describe the cess as double taxation that distorts prices and affects both traders and farmers. Pansare stated, "This will suppress the trading class. Therefore, we have called for the strike. We want the state and the central governments to resolve these problems."
Representatives say they previously discussed the issue with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. According to Mohan Gurunani, head of the Traders' Association, Navi Mumbai, "He assured us of adopting a proactive stance in this matter. However, till now this issue hasn't been resolved."
Requests for broader representation have also been raised. Chandrakant Dhole, president of the Fruits Merchants' Association, Navi Mumbai, said, "Currently, this law is being drafted at the national level, which stipulates that only one trader representative will be allowed to serve on the committee. This will not help to resolve the difficulties of every market." Trader Khimji Bhai Bhanushali added that "if different requests are not discussed, we will have to escalate the protests."
Source: Bharat
