Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, May 22: Central market wholesale merchants who had been temporarily shifted to APMC yard at Baikampady recently for facilitating demolition of existing old central market structure and building of a new one there, say that they have lost heavily and the recent rain has inflicted a loss of Rs 50 lac on them. They have demanded suitable alternative site for them besides compensation for losses suffered.
Central Market Merchants Association working president Sunil Kumar Bajal, addressing a press meet here on Thursday May 21, said that 398 merchants of central market were shifted to Baikampady by the district administration in the name of new building and coronavirus norms. He complained that the administration has been ignoring the need to provide them alternative facilities. He noted that even though many businesses have since been opened, the central market merchants have not been permitted to resume their businesses. He asked the administration not to undertake construction of new market building without providing alternative facility to 131 wholesale and 346 retailers. He also urged to drop the initiative of continuing to hold wholesale business at APMC Yard, Baikampady.
President of the association Mustafa Kunhi, said that APMC has chemical factories and industrial zone around it and hence it is not suitable to sell fruits and vegetables. He said that APMC yard lacks security system to maintain stock of items early in the morning as business starts here at 3 am. He said that the APMC godown does not have shutters and roofs and therefore stated that the merchants cannot keep the items remaining unsold there overnight. He therefore asked the wholesale and retail vegetable dealers to be accommodated at the central market building till alternative arrangement is made.
General secretary of the association Janardhan Salian, and vice president Gracy Fernandes, also spoke on the occasion.
Association’s honorary adviser, Anil Kumar, New Central Market Shop Owners Association general secretary Ganesh, and Mustaq were present.