Lasalgaon/ Niphad/ Chandwad, 22 May

(HS): Asia’s biggest Market Committee at Lasalgaon in Nashik district has

decided to pause auction of onion and food grains, from Monday (25 May) due to

shortage of diesel in the region. The decision will also affect the trade in

vegetables. Besides Lasalgaon Marketing Committee traders in other cities in

the district have also decided to stop the auction.

Following hike in petrol and diesel

prices by the Centre, short supply of the fuel is being experienced, despite

claim by the District Administration of availability of adequate fuels. Farmers

are also facing problems as many agricultural operations have come to a

grinding halt.

Meanwhile, farmers have announced

agitation against very low price for onion, which is less than the production

cost. The export of onion was also affected due to the war. Export to

Bangladesh has been stopped about 18 months ago.

Lasalgaon receives 10,000 to 15,000

quintals of onion every day, of which about 90 per cent is dispatched to other

states. This has been affected due to short supply of diesel. The traders,

therefore, have decided to stop auction.

The contracts have been withdrawn due to

delay in delivery of goods. The temperature of Niphad has reached 43 degree

Celsius, plus the shortage of diesel has badly affected the traders and the

farmers as well.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Ajay Vasant Mardikar