APMC Yard: A testimony of an ineffectual Govt promise

APMC Yard: A testimony of an ineffectual Govt promise
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: The State Government is always quick to claim that it works for the welfare of the common man and farmer. It has been blowing the trumpet about the plans to improve infrastructure.

But the pathetic condition of APMC (Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee) yard at Yeshwantpur tells a different tale. More than 1,000 lorries enter the yard through its narrow and unregulated roads, which cannot accommodate all these vehicles.

From September to November, 24,000 bags of onion and 45,000 bags of potato are brought every day. But due to lack of space, traders occupy footpaths and pavements to unload the goods.

It takes more than a day for a vehicle to reach a particular shop to unload the goods and another day to come out of the yard.

Though there is a police station at a stone’s throwaway, not a single policeman can be seen anywhere in the yard.

The yard was opened in 1970 and there are around 1261 wholesale dealers, 500 semi- wholesale dealers and 100 retailers.

The State Government had received Rs 18.50 crore cess from traders last year and it is expected to get Rs 20 crore during this fiscal.

Yet the traders, especially dealers in food grains and pulses, have to suffer for no fault of theirs. It becomes a Herculean task for them to reach their respective shops during morning hours.

“It takes me 45 minutes to cover 300 metres at 9.30 AM. We are not against onion and potato merchants but they are not supposed to occupy all the available space on footpaths and pavements,” says Sanjay Bhasin, Joint secretary, Bangalore Wholesale Foodgrains and Pulses Merchants’ Association.

It is not that Government has not allotted an exclusive place at the yard for potato and onion merchants. It acquired the land near MG Complex two years ago but conveniently forgot about its very existence.

“Our repeated pleas to the Government have been futile. There is none to regulate or control lorry drivers who park their vehicles haphazardly,” says Ramesh Chandra Lahoti, President of the Bangalore Wholesale Foodgrains and Pulses Merchants’ Association.

Unhygienic conditions near the planned onion and potato yard emanates a strong fetid and compels one to search for a handkerchief. It is a convenient toilet for coolies and labourers.

The garbage and slush in front of T V Kanchatappa shop, reminds one of a scene from hell. No one can stand there for more than a couple of minutes.

Potato and Onion Merchants’ Association has put up a notice stating that no merchant should unload the goods on footpaths.

It also cautions that violators will have to pay penalty, but it is not being enforced. “We can advise our members not to misuse footpaths and pavements. We have not collected any penalty from members for violating our directive,” explains Suresh, Director of the Association.

Due to lack of sufficient urinals, coolies and visitors have converted the vacant spaces and lanes into one. Even dogs do not lift their legs to use such places because of the stink.

The other problem is security. Traders are vulnerable to theft. Last month, five cases of assault were reported from the yard. The assault and robbery of proprietor of Sikandar Traders near APMC yard police station reveals the plight of traders.

“Two thousand migrant coolies come to the yard during the onion and potato season apart from 1500 regular coolies. It is difficult for us to find out who is an anti-social element and who are genuine coolies.

“Police should do something to end this menace since it has become a problem for traders to take out money from shop to the bank,” complains Lahoti.

Will Government come to the help of traders?