Maharashtra traders’ bodies announce bandh on December 5 to protest agricultural market rules

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Five apex organisations under the Maharashtra Rajya Vyapari Kruti Samiti have declared a statewide one-day bandh on Friday, December 5, to protest against the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) system.

The participating bodies include the Chamber of Association of Maharashtra Industry and Trade (CAMIT), Federation of Association of Maharashtra (FAM), Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (MACCIA), Grain, Rice & Oil Merchants Association (GROMA) and the Poona Merchants Chamber (PMC).

CAMIT chairman Mohan Gurnani told mid-day, "The APMC system has collapsed. It has become exploitative, outdated and a burden on traders and farmers. Maharashtra's traders are demanding that the APMC structure be abolished entirely."

Gurnani confirmed that markets, mandis, kirana establishments, wholesale grain merchants and several linked trade units will remain closed for the day. All bodies have called it a peaceful but total shutdown.

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