Wholesale vegetable brokers operating at the APMC Kalamna market have announced an indefinite strike beginning February 5, triggering concerns over supply disruptions and a possible rise in vegetable prices across Nagpur. The protest, led by the Jai Kisan Vyapari Welfare Association, has been brewing for over two weeks and is now set to intensify.
Association leaders said around 250 to 300 vegetable brokers at the Kalamna market yard will participate in the strike, effectively bringing wholesale trading activities there to a standstill. Kalamna and the Mahatma Phule Market—popularly known as the Cotton Market—are the only two major wholesale hubs where farmers sell vegetables to traders in the city.
Although the strike call is limited to brokers based at Kalamna, market experts warned that it could disrupt the broader supply chain and indirectly impact operations at the Mahatma Phule Market as well. Any disruption at Kalamna, they said, is likely to create a supply-demand imbalance and push up retail vegetable prices across Nagpur.
The dispute traces its roots to 2016, when nearly 120 brokers were shifted from the overcrowded Mahatma Phule Market to the APMC Kalamna yard as part of a decongestion plan. At the time, authorities had assured the relocated traders that permanent shop allotments would be provided. However, with the number of vegetable brokers increasing significantly over the years, many continue to operate without dedicated shop space, despite some traders being accommodated with stalls.
Brokers awaiting allotments have alleged irregularities and a lack of transparency in the distribution process. Vinod Lokhande, founder of the Jai Kisan Vyapari Welfare Association, claimed that authorities failed to follow established norms while allotting shops, leaving several original transferees sidelined despite repeated assurances.
Downplaying fears of supply disruption, APMC Nagpur Secretary Dinesh Chandel said the protest involves only a specific section of traders. “The agitation is limited, and we will take all necessary steps to ensure that the supply of vegetables remains smooth,” he said.
As the strike deadline approaches, consumers and retailers are closely monitoring the situation, with concerns mounting that a prolonged standoff could directly impact household budgets across the city.
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