The Hindu Business Line : Move to de-notify Bunder market yard opposed

Traders at Bunder area in Mangalore have opposed the Karnataka Agriculture Marketing Department's move to de-notify Bunder as `Schedule A' market yard.

Addressing a gathering of traders in the premises of Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) in Mangalore on Tuesday evening, Mr G.G. Mohandas Prabhu, President of Old Bunder Wholesale Kirana and Allied Merchants' Association, said that there has not been any systematic study before it was proposed to delete `Schedule A' market yard at Bunder as notified market yard.

He claimed that the market yard at Bunder has been in existence for the past three centuries, before `Schedule B' market yard was put up at Baikampady a few years ago. The licence holders operating in `Schedule A' market yard have invested in assets of over Rs 500 crore. De-notification of the area will make these investments futile, he said. More than 90 per cent of the revenue of Mangalore Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) is generated from the `Schedule A' market yard.

Mr Prabhu suggested that `Schedule A' market yard at Bunder be retained as the notified yard, and the `Schedule B' market yard at Baikampady as market sub-yard.

Mr Vishwanath Kamath, KCCI member, said that the Government should initiate steps to develop cold storages and dry yards at the Baikampady yard. It is difficult shift trading activities from Bunder to Baikampady.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Sharanabasappa Gowda Darshanapur, Karnataka Minister for Agriculture Produce Marketing, said that the Government would not resort to forcible shifting of trading activities from Bunder to Baikampady. He assured the members that a meeting of the officials concerned, and traders' representatives would be held soon to find a solution to the issue. Capt J.P. Menezes, KCCI President, presided over the meeting.