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Cardamom auctions at both Puttady in Idukki and Bodinayakanur in Tamil Nadu have been suspended indefinitely in view of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) threat.
The auctioneers told BusinessLine that they have been asked by Spices Board officials at Bodinayakanur to halt the auctions.
The auctioneers pointed out that the Community Health Centre in Vandanemdu had issued a directive to the Deputy Director, Spices Park in Puttady on Saturday to discontinue trading activities at the e-auction centre in view of the large gathering of people at the auctions. The order was issued on a tip-off from the Kerala Special Branch Police. The medical officer at the Community Health Centre also cautioned against public gatherings at auction centres until further orders.
The virus threat has also forced cardamom traders in Tamil Nadu to seek suspension of auctions and All Cardamom Traders Association in Bodinayakanur has approached the Spices Board to suspend the ensuing auctions both in Bodi and Puttady in Idukki till March 31.
Based on their request, the District Collector in Theni appealed to the Spices Board to cancel all auctions till the end of this month. The association pointed out that there were gatherings of more than 100 persons at the auction centres. Since the chances of getting virus infection are high, traders are wary of taking part in the auctions.
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