Fruit traders to observe bandh in State today

Fruits merchants decided to observe bandh on March 31 in all districts of Andhra Pradesh protesting against the raids conducted on fruit shops by officials to check whether the traders are using harmful carbide for artificial ripening of fruits.

The Government has banned the use of carbide for artificial ripening of fruits and announced severe action will be taken on the fruit merchants who violate the rules. Fruits merchants of Telangana have recently observed bandh potesting against the similar decision taken by Telangana government after which the fruit traders of Andhra Pradesh decided to follow them and observe bandh on March 31 also.

Fruit sales drastically declined in Andhra Pradesh due to intensive campaign launched by government and media on ill effects of consuming the fruits ripened with carbide. Food inspectors are conducting raids on shops and collecting samples. In Vijayawada the officials have collected 30 samples to be sent to the lab in Hyderabad. The officials have noticed that the fruits collected as samples were unsafe.

So far no legal action was taken on any fruit trader in Vijayawada. The officials are yet to take a decision on selling the unsafe fruits. N Chiranjeevi, secretary, Fruit merchants association, told The Hans India, that the traders were disappointed with the raids conducted by officials and decided to observe bandh on March 31 in the state.

He said that all traders don’t use carbide for ripening of every fruit. He added that there is no need to use carbide for black grapes, pomegranate and Kharboosa as these fruits automatically ripen due to hot temperature.He said that a dharna would be staged at the Mango market in Kedareswara pet in Vijayawada on March 31. Hundreds of wholesalers and retailers will take part in the dharna.

Similar dharns will be observed in all 13 districts of Andhra Pradesh. The association president Sk Moulali said the traders panicked at the announcement of the Government about a hefty penalty and jail time for traders who use of carbide for artificial ripening of fruits. He said that the business was badly affected due to vigorous campaign launched by some section of media that carbide is used for ripening of fruits.

He admitted that carbide is used to ripen mango and papaya but it is not necessary for all fruits. Traders association launched campaign asking all merchants to stop using carbide to protect the health of the people and save the business.