Karnataka - Hassan   

Hassan farmers object to price increase of seed potato

Staff Correspondent

Traders were selling them at Rs. 1,500 for a 60-kg bag at the APMC yard

OPPOSITION: Farmers agitating at the APMC yard in Hassan on Saturday against increase in seed potato prices.

HASSAN: Potato farmers went on a snap strike in the APMC yard here on Saturday protesting against the increase in seed potato prices by traders. They complained against traders who were selling them at Rs. 1,500 for a 60-kg bag. The police had a tough time controlling the agitating farmers. Finally merchant's association president Lakshman negotiated with farmers and fixed the price at Rs. 1450 after which the dharna was withdrawn.

Farmers said traders from Punjab have stored seven lakh seed potato seed bags (each weighing 60 kg) in Hassan. Earlier, it had been agreed upon to sell one bag for Rs. 1,325 a bag including 5 per cent APMC tax. But traders suddenly increased the price to Rs. 1,500 a bag by creating an artificial scarcity, farmers claimed.

Traders argue that they were spending Rs. 200 a bag towards transportation and 5 per cent APMC tax and would suffer a loss if they sold a bag at Rs. 1,325.

Rudrappa DSP said they have requested APMC to cancel the license of Raghavendra Traders. BJP leader Agile Yogish led the dharna. Karnataka Rakshana Vedike activists too participated in the dharna.

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