Loaders’ Protest Disrupts Trading at Ballari APMC
There are about 650 licensed loaders in the Ballari APMC. Farmers who had brought their produce to the market were left stranded.
Ballari: Operations at the Ballari Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) premises came to a complete halt on Monday after licensed hamals (loaders) launched a strike demanding resolution of their long-pending issues.
Hamal Union president Hanumanth said they were demanding Rs 15 per bag for filling, unloading and weighing produce, and 30 paise per empty bag for transporting empty bags from buyers to commission agents.
The loaders alleged that traders were ignoring their problems and refusing to pay revised charges for their services.
Authorities are holding discussions with both loaders and traders. A meeting was convened on Monday under the leadership of the APMC Secretary on Monday.
There are about 650 licensed loaders in the Ballari APMC. Farmers who had brought their produce to the market were left stranded.