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Demonetisation set to trigger onion bomb
Unable to exchange currency in lakhs of rupees and provide lesser denomination notes to farmers and hamalis, traders have decided to block onion procurement till November 19.
Hyderabad: Unable to exchange currency in lakhs of rupees and provide lesser denomination notes to farmers and hamalis, traders have decided to block onion procurement till November 19.
The decision was taken by the Hyderabad Onion Import Association as fallout of the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes.
The Malakpet Agricultural Market Yard which is usually bustling with activity wore a deserted look on Tuesday following the announcement of blockage of onion procurement.
The decision was taken after other major markets, including that of Maharashtra’s Nasik market, put an embargo on unloading of the commodity.
The traders who were unable to exchange the currency and pay in lower denominations of Rs 100 to workers who unload onions worth Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000 per each load.
“Initially we were able to manage the situation, but things turned out to be out of control, hence we resorted to blocking all the trade related to onion in the market.
Moreover, the farmers of Maharashtra turned their focus to Hyderabad after their markets were closed. This would create inconvenience not only to us, but also to them,” said association secretary Venkata Ramana.
The worst-affected are the hamalis working in the market and lorry drivers. Hamalis being the daily-wage labourers earn about Rs 400 to Rs 600 during normal days.
But after the demonetisation, their energies are now spent more on exchanging the currency than physical work.
While on the other hand the drivers got more issues, like filling the fuel, weighing the consignment and making arrangement for food.
“We were provided Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes, which were exchanged with Rs 2000 notes in a bank. Without provision of change of Rs 2000 we are stranded here.
Making arrangement for food also has become a problem,” said Nagaraju, a lorry driver from Sirpur, Karnataka.
While on the other hand, the association members and marketing officials met Minister of Agriculture Marketing T Harish Rao and asked him to take some alternative arrangement for consumers, in the view of embargo on onion procurement.
They also informed that the decision was taken in view of the closure of markets in Maharashtra. Speaking to The Hans India, K Rajashekhar Reddy, Selection Grade Secretary, Agriculture Marketing Committee, said that there was no need to panic.
The government will be directly procuring onions from Gadwal fields, he said, adding: “Depending on the demand, the government would be procuring onions.
Officially, the government would begin the process from Wednesday,” he informed.
