Essential commodity prices rise following mathadi workers' strike

Mumbai, Mar 19 (UNI) All esstential commodity prices including sugar, edible oils, wheat, rice, pulses, vegetables and fruits have risen by around 20-25 per cent due to the sudden strike by mathadi workers since the last few days, traders said.

Transport of wholesale commodity goods from Navi Mumbai to Old Mumbai has stopped due to the strike put up by mathadi workers. The Navi Muimbai mathadi workers belonging to two unions had a fight among themselves on the day of holi festivalon March 15. Following this, mathadi workers refrained from loading and unloading in the Agricultural Produce Market Complex (APMC) at Vashi, Nerul, Panvel and the surrounding areas.

This agitation affected the daily business of several goods including mangoes which are lying unattended at the APMC godowns.

Exports have also been affected due to the ongoing agitation.

Navi Mumbai Road Transport Owners' Association president Muljibhai Somaiya told here that transporters were losing Rs ten crore on a daily basis following the agitation.

However, business in Mumbai and suburbs like Borivali, Andheri, central Mumbai and south Mumbai stayed unaffected with retail road transport running smoothly.

Traders hope that mathadi workers' strike would be withdrawn soon after two unions solve the matter amicably, Mr Somaiya added.

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