Rajasthan commodity traders observe strike

By IANS

Jaipur : Business of over Rs.250 million was hit Wednesday in Rajasthan as commodity traders and commission agents observed a day’s strike following a call by the Rajasthan Khadya Padarth Vypar Sangh (RKPVS) against the BJP government’s “anti trader” policies.


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“All the commodity markets remained closed today as over 37,500 traders and commission agents did not open their shops to protest against the government’s policies that benefit only big corporate houses,” Babulal Gupta, general secretary, RKPVS told IANS. The RKPVS is a body of traders and commission agents.

“The state cabinet’s recent decision to permit single license for trading in the state is aimed at benefiting big corporate houses which would swamp the markets with their resources. Traders like us with limited resources would be wiped out,” Gupta said.

So far, the practice was to seek separate licenses to do business in different districts.

He said that the traders had been protesting for months against the government’s decision to allow contract farming and direct marketing. Till now, they have not been able to get a favourable response, he alleged.

Under direct marketing, the private bodies are allowed to buy directly from farmers or set up a mandi (market) themselves. In contract farming, a private body can enter into an agreement with a farmer for growing of a particular crop at a pre-determined price.

The state government should give priority to farmers. On the contrary, the policies are being devised to benefit multi national companies (MNCs), he said.

“We would continue to hold dharnas and organise mass meets till our demand to withdraw single license and direct marketing systems are not met,” Gupta said.

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