Onion Traders in Nashik District Halt Auctions Indefinitely in Protest of Export Duty, Govt Issues Stern Response

Onion traders in Nashik district, Maharashtra, have halted auctions in all Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs), raising concerns about a potential shortage of this kitchen staple in retail markets and a subsequent increase in prices. The Nashik District Onion Traders Association (NDOTA) initiated the indefinite protest in response to the Union government's recent decision to raise export duty on onions by up to 40%, effective until December 31.

The District Sub-registrar, Co-operative Societies, has taken the protest seriously and issued an order instructing all APMCs to suspend or cancel the licenses of the striking traders and submit an Action Taken Report by September 21.

The NDOTA spokesperson explained the rationale behind their protest, saying, "In protest against the export duty hike decision, we have decided to shut down the auction of onions in all APMCs in the district indefinitely. This decision will not only complicate onion exports but will also disrupt onions in transit, causing significant losses to farmers."

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However, Maharashtra's marketing minister, Abdul Sattar, expressed reservations about the traders' strike, stating that closing onion auctions was not the right course of action. He mentioned that secretaries in the departments of cooperation and marketing would discuss the appropriate measures, and the Nashik district collector would take necessary actions.

This protest comes after auctions of onions remained closed at most APMCs in Nashik district, including Lasalgaon, India's largest wholesale onion market, on August 20.

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The onion traders had given the government until September 19 to address their demands. As their demands have not been met, they decided to indefinitely halt onion auctions. Their other demands include the cancellation of export duty on onions, a 50% reduction in market fees, participation by the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) and National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India (NCCF) in auctions, and a 50% subsidy in onion transportation.

As a result of this strike, onion auctions did not take place in any APMCs in Nashik district on Wednesday, including Lasalgaon APMC, and no onions arrived at APMCs.

The government order noted that Khandu Deore, president of the Nashik District Onion Traders Association, had written a letter to Minister Sattar on September 13, outlining their four demands and warning of the strike from September 19. The minister has convened a meeting of Marketing department officials on September 26 to address these concerns.

Despite the minister's request to postpone the agitation, traders and brokers continued with the strike, creating challenges for farmers in selling various agricultural produce.

The government order has mandated that APMCs make alternate arrangements and take measures to ensure the continued sale and purchase of agricultural produce. Failure to comply may lead to actions against the board of directors and the secretary of the APMCs.

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