Hamalis-traders row leads to cotton market closure

​Jammikunta: The second biggest cotton market in Telangana here has been locked out following a tussle between hamalis and traders.

When the trade was booming with the price being quoted at Rs 5,000 a quintal and farmers were happy, the stand-off came like a bolt from the blue.

Unable to solve the tussle, the market committee chairman closed the market. This led to a sudden fall in prices to Rs 4,300 a quintal.

This development led to mushrooming of middlemen outside the market. Amid this confusion, the farmers are becoming unintended victims, following a tussle between the hamalis and buyers over payment of charges.

The row over charges intensified leading to a situation where no solution is being found yet. The anxious farmers are waiting for the day when the on-going discussions to break the impasse over the closure could become fruitful.

The row arose following collection of Rs 17 charges by the hamalis for a quintal of cotton from the farmers, as against the stipulated Rs 12.

Initially, the hamalis agreed to take only Rs 12. The traders alleged that they are the collecting the additional amount from them.

Following the stoppage of collection of charges the row between the two sides is persisting. As there is no sign of it getting solved, the market has been shut down.

Middlemen are trying to take advantage of the situation by resorting to purchase of cotton at low prices, causing a huge loss to the ryots.

Although both officials and the market committee chairman are aware of this exploitation, none is able to do anything beyond expressing their helplessness.

As huge stocks of cotton reach the market from adjoining districts, the farmers are reluctant to take back their stocks home.

They want to get rid of their stock though at a low price. In this scenario, had the market been open they would have got a good price, like it was Rs 5,150 six days back.

With the market closed and the middlemen entering the scene, the rate has fallen to Rs 4,300, that too for the ‘A’ grade variety.

For others the rate is fixed according to their whims and fancies. This is forcing the farmers to dispose of their stocks at any price.

Ryots are already severely affected by demonetisation. Adding to their woes are the happenings in the market. They have appealed to Finance Minister Eatala Rajender to intervene.

The market committee chairman, who also heads the hamalis’ association, is facing a delicate situation. As he is unable to decide what to do to tide over the situation, the chairman has decided to lock up the market for some days. Although discussions are on no solution appears to be in sight.