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G.K. Nair

Kochi, Sept. 17 The cardamom traders in Bodinayakannur, the main trading centre of the commodity, on Monday decided to boycott e-auction from today.

The traders said the decision to boycott, taken at their meeting attended by 50 members, was to protest the introduction of the new system without giving them enough opportunity to acquaint themselves with the e-auction system.

The Spices Board launched the new system in Bodinayakannur late last month and since then the auctions of Cardamom Planters Association (CPA) and STCL Ltd have been held under the electronic system developed by the TCS Ltd.

The traders told Business Line from Bodinayakannur that the time taken for each lot was 2 to 3 minutes in the e-auction, where as it took only 10 to 20 seconds in the conventional outcry system.

“It is difficult for us to assess the quality of the commodity, value it and browse the monitor at the same time,” they said. Therefore, until fully accustomed with the system it would be a problem for to participate in the e-auction, the traders added.

“We are old people and have been in the trade for decades following the conventional method. We cannot follow and grasp the new system as fast as youngsters,” they said.

But, the practical problems faced by us are not understood by the authorities, they alleged. “They have to give us more time to learn and get acquainted with the new system,” they said. Until that time the traders would not be participating at the e-auction, they said.

The decision would result in the suspension of e-auctions at Bodinayakannur on Monday and Thursday of every week. Planters had already registered cardamom with the CPA for the Monday’s e-auction. Now they might have to shift the commodity to other auction centres either at Nedumkandam or Kumily in Kerala.

When contacted Mr S. Kannan, Director (Marketing), Spices Board, told Business Line that the e-auction would be beneficial to the traders in many ways. The time taken at present would come down as they gain experience in e-auction which is a gradual process, he said, adding that the issue would be discussed with the traders soon.

Auctioneers have been advised to switch over to e-auction from December 1 and until then conventional method could be followed. The Board is understood to be contemplating an option to set up a general e-auction centre in Kerala’s Idukki district for those conducting conventional auctions at present and do not want to set up the facility at their respective centres.

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