Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Apr 3: The fruits supply to Jammu’s famous Narwal Mandi has witnessed about 80 % reduction while vegetables by 50 % of the normal supplies during countrywide lockdown over Coronavirus threat, while the Fruits and Vegetables Association of the Mandi has decided closure for two days on coming Sunday and Monday.
While the rates of vegetables and fruits have already gone sky- high amidst high demand and less supplies in Jammu city and other major towns of the region, the closure of Mandi for two days will further lead to increase in the rates, exerting more burden on the poor and middle class families, who are already suffering due to lockdown. The issue with regard to exorbitant rates of vegetables and fruits and non-checking by the concerned agencies is already being projected by media in the region, but any action from Government side is yet awaited.
Dismissing the reports appearing in social media with regard to three days closure of Mandi and the ‘so called’ threat issued by the Association, president of Fruit and Vegetables Association, Narwal Mandi, Surinder Singh Kala told the Excelsior that some miscreants have circulated wrong messages in social media, alleging that Narwal Mandi Association has threatened to shut down Mandi for three days on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, which is not correct. He said Sunday is weekly holiday in Narwal Mandi and only on Monday, Mandi will remain closed. During these two days, as per the suggestion of the Administration and willingness of the Association, cleanliness and sanitization drive would be launched.
Kala further disclosed that this exercise is being carried out for taking precautions and contain the spread of Coronavirus. He said one fresh Corona positive case from Bahu Fort area has Narwal Mandi connection and for this, the Mandi is being closed on Sunday and Monday. From Tuesday onwards, Narwal Mandi will resume normal operation, he clarified.
When asked about the sharp hike in rates of vegetables during lockdown, the Mandi president said, the vegetable vendors/ shopkeepers who are lifting various vegetables are getting the same on the normal price but if they are charging high rates in their respective areas of the city or outside towns like Akhnoor, Rajouri, Udhampur, R S Pura, Billawar, Doda etc, the concerned Government agencies must keep check on them. This is beyond the control of Narwal Mandi Association, he added.
He said vegetable supplies have reduced to nearly 40-50 % in Narwal Mandi. Some local supply is also being received here. But mostly tomatoes, potatoes, onions, cucumber, capsicum, cabbage etc is coming from outside J&K UT. Due to delay in entry at State borders and also at J&K UT, perishable items are getting damaged. The traders are suffering losses due to non-lifting of goods in time and therefore, they are avoiding projecting much demand. Fruits supply has much affected in Jammu Mandi, he claimed.
Parveen Gupta, president, Jammu Fruits Association when contacted said normally Jammu Narwal Mandi receives 50 to 60 trucks of fruits every day. This supply has reached hardly 20 % of the normal supplies. He said today, “we received hardly six vehicles which is the lowest so far during last nine days of lockdown.” He added that Narwal Mandi is getting supplies of grapes, pomegranates, papaya and bananas etc from Maharashtra and Gujarat. These all are perishable items. Due to longer delays at state borders and also at Lakhanpur, the banana and papaya is getting perished. So, the traders have reduced the supplies.
Replying to a question, Gupta, said banana is brought raw from Maharashtra and it takes about 4-5 days here for making it ripe. But it is getting ripe and damaged in vehicles and therefore, the supplies have witnessed sharp fall. Same is the condition of Papaya. Gupta said Rs 90,000 is the carriage charges of one truck full of goods from Maharashtra and they carry goods of Rs 4-5 lakhs. If they are unable to recover carriage charges, what is fun of selling goods by trader,”? Gupta asked.
He said the Mandi is also witnessing sharp fall in the number of buyers due to total lockdown and strictness by the security forces. He said the State administration must come to their rescue and take up issue with various Governments like in Punjab, Harayana, Delhi, MP, Rajasthan etc. The stoppage at Lakhanpur for the vehicles carrying perishable items should also be reduced, the Fruits Association president maintained.
Former, president of the Fruits and Vegetables Association, Narwal, Sham Lal Langar said Mandi is being closed for carrying out necessary and emergency sanitisation and cleanliness work only. There is no threat from Association at all. At this crucial juncture, the Association members are rendering all possible help to the administration. He said the same cooperation is expected from the UT Administration. They must address the issues of fruits vegetables traders and Mandi Association whose trucks are being stopped at various places. There was problem at Lakhanpur during first 2-3 days of lockdown but now it has been streamlined, Langar said.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
