Mango farmers cry foul as traders reject produce

Hyderabad: Irate mango farmers resorted to flash strike against the high handedness of officials at Gaddiannaram Fruit Market here on Monday when the businessmen informed them that they would not purchase the fruits. The farmers sat on road protesting against the refusal to buy the mangoes.

The farmers alleged that the officials had closed 90 shops in the market saying that the traders were using carbide to ripen the fruits. Protesting against this move, the traders refused to purchase fruits that were brought to the market from Mahbubnagar, Nalgonda and even far off places like Nuziveedu in Andhra Pradesh.

Following this, Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Minister Jupally Krishna Rao visited the market and after interacting with the farmers, market committee officials and agents, the Minister instructed the officials of the market yard not to harass the commission agents, traders and farmers who were transporting mangoes.

Farmers complained to the Minister that officials were not allowing to dump the stocks in the market and insisting on bribes. Traders also brought to the notice of the Minister that their licenses were not being renewed due to official apathy. Krishna Rao asked the officials to maintain restraint and not to create trouble for the farmers.