Bandh hits trading activities

Bangalore, Aug 1 (UNI) Trading activities in Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) yards in Karnataka came to a grinding halt as trader's indefinite bandh, protesting against an Amendment to the APMC Act passed by the Karnataka Government, started today.

The traders alleged that the amendment would pave way for entry of multinational companies in the Agri sector. The bandh call was given by the Federation of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI).

The bandh was total through out the state as all the APMC yards in Mysore, Gulbarga, Raichur, Bangalore, Raichur and other districts participated In Bangalore, Yashwanthpur yard wore a deserted look as traders stayed away from the market and staged protest meeting demanding withdraw of the Amendment.

According to a report from Gulbarga, the Hyderabad-Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry extended support to the bandh and no trading activities held in Gulbarga, Raichur, Bidar and Koppal districts.

Farmers were put to hardships as there were no buyers of the produces they brought to the yard.

The trading bodies, farmers associations and Left parties also criticised the government for bringing Amendment to the APMC Act.

The labour class was the most affected as there was no work and no pay.

UNI