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The Centre’s decision to allow private firms to conduct cardamom e-auctions has irked the farming community, traders and trade unions. They allege a parallel trading session has come into existence alongside official auctions conducted by the Spices Board at Puttady in Kerala’s Idukki district and Bodinayakkanur in Tamil Nadu.
At a meeting convened to discuss the issue, the stakeholders have requested the Spices Board to intervene in the issue by stopping the parallel auction and end the stalemate.
The meeting was attended by people’s representatives such as Dean Kuriakose, MP, and MM Mani, MLA, who represent various planters’ associations. They blamed the parallel auction system for the declining prices of cardamom and said the existing e-auctions system at the Spices Park with 12 registered auctioneers must continue.
‘Violation of rules’
Shine Varghese, general secretary of the Cardamom Growers Association, Vandanmedu, told BusinessLine that the consent given to private firms is a clear violation of the Spices Board Act and rules, adding that such firms have no right to conduct auctions as the Supreme Court has passed an interim stay for the implementation of the three Farm Laws.
The Spices Board has already entrusted 12 firms for e-auctions both in Puttady and Bodinayakanur. However, producer companies can conduct online auctions. Taking cognizance of the rules, two existing companies have surrendered their auction license to the Board and started their own auctions independently, he said.
These companies are now holding 2-3 daily trading sessions where the traders’ participation was minimal at around 60. There were allegations of delayed payments to farmers after the sale and charging interest from those growers who needed cash in advance. Moreover, there is no controlling authority for such auctions, he added.
C Sadasivasubramaniam, Kerala Cardamom Growers Union, said that the average price realisation has come down to ₹900-1,100 per kg due to increase in the number of daily trading sessionsThis year, the sector is expecting a 40 per cent drop in production due to climatic changes.
A person familiar with the development said the 12 licensed auctioneers should be allowed to conduct auctions only at the prescribed time as per the Spices Board schedule to avoid overlapping of trading sessions. Till the Spices Board resumes multi-location bidding, auctioneers can continue with the new platform. The drawing of samples and payment should be carried out strictly as per the Spices Board direction.
The government should also speed up the process to enable multi-locational bidding and take necessary steps for the smooth conveyance of people and goods with respect to auctions.
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