APMC traders to observe bandh on Jan 5 to protest amendment to Act

Bangalore, Jan 2 (UNI) The traders coming under the umbrella of the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) will observe a state-wide bandh on January five in protest against the government's move to open up the agri-commodity business in the State.

Addressing a press conference here, FKCCI President R C Purohit said that the State Government, as per advice from the Union government, had decided to amend the existing AMPC Act 1966, which allows entry of private players including MNCs, badly affecting the interests of thousands of agri-commodity traders and others depending on it.

According to the draft rules the amendment would result in the government inviting private players to trade in commodities and allow them to buy commodities directly from the farmers.

The farmers would also be free to sell their produce to anybody anywhere and would not be bound to bring it to the APMC Yard.

Mr Purohit demanded that the State Government should call for a detailed discussion on the matter and take the traders' bodies and all other stake holders into confidence before bringing in any such amendment.

It was unfortunate that the Union government was employing arm twisting tactic in collaboration with the state governments by putting a pre-condition that agriculture and horticulture grants would be released only if they bring about amendments to the APMC Act.

Demanding a level playing field for the traders, Bangalore Wholesale Foodgrains and Pulses Merchants' Association President R C Lahoti said that the trade and industry in the State strongly opposed privatisation of the market.

The amendment would adversely affect about Eight lakh traders, most of whom were small traders, apart from a large number of people who were connected to the agri-commodity business.

UNI