Mumbai: Vendors at the bustling Dadar vegetable market said on Monday that sales were not affected by the State-wide bandh called by farmers as part of their ongoing agitation. Ashutosh Gupta, a vendor, said vegetables are coming in from Gujarat and Rajasthan. “The direct impact is felt more in areas like Nashik,” Mr. Gupta said.
Rajesh Singh, a vendor at the Gopi Tank vegetable market in Mahim, also said he his business hasn’t been hit. “The prices did go up over the weekend, but has come down today. To be honest, this price fluctuations is part and parcel of our daily business.” His colleague, Sanjay Jaiswal, who also deals in fruit, agreed. “The strike didn’t prove to be as troublesome for us as it has for the rest of the State.”
Vegetable seller Ganesh Gupta said supply is lesser than usual. Shyama Prasad Gupta, a vendor from the same market, added, “We all weren’t affected for more than two days, but the poor were. My business didn’t perform as usual either. The low income families stayed away from vegetables, opting for chicken and fish instead.”
Salam Hajarat Sheikh and Leela Bai, who peel maize for a living at Dadar market, said they and their families are struggling to meet the increased prices.
Fruit vendor Haribau K. Mhaske said he and others are ordering fruit from Gujarat due to the strike. “We have had to increase prices a bit, but people are buying. I personally think the farmers’ demands are wrong; nobody can be generous enough to waive off loans given to so many. Why should the government do that anyway? Instead of calling a strike, farmers should discuss the matter.”
“I have seen the problems that farmers face at close quarters. We are forced to take loans to make ends meet, but in the end, we are unable to repay. I had planned to commit suicide but my friends stopped me. Now I stay in Mumbai and my farm in Pune is looked after by my family. I wish the government would understand our problems and solve them,” Kisan Bheke, a farmer hailing from Pune, said.
Praveen Wagh, who deals in fruit, said the supply from Gujarat isn’t enough. “I haven’t increased prices as I don’t want to lose my regular customers. I’m facing problems because I can’t send fruits in sufficient quantity to offices and hotels like I used to before the agitation began. The farmers and the government should end their fight because it is causing a lot of problems to people like us.”
