Mysore/Mysuru: Hundreds of fruit and vegetable vendors descended on M.G. Road Vegetable Market situated behind the Dasara Exhibition Grounds here yesterday despite lockdown.

This created confusion for some time with farmers and traders occupying the market yard with their produces. The District Administration had temporarily suspended activities at M.G. Road Market and Dasara Expo Grounds and had shifted it to APMC Yard in Bandipalya on Nanjangud Road due to increase in Corona positive cases. After the Government relaxed lockdown rules, farmers presumed that permission had been given to do business at M.G. Road Market and came there with vegetables and fruits.

After the receipt of information, Krishnaraja and Siddarthanagar Police came to the spot and successfully convinced farmers and traders to shift their business to APMC Yard. Farmers said they were told at APMC that they were permitted to resume trade at M.G. Road Market. So they engaged the goods vehicles to bring their produces to the Market. “Now, who will bear the transport cost?” they asked.

DC Dr. Bagadi Gautham said farmers have been permitted to do trading at APMC in view of pandemic. “I will talk to MCC Commissioner to know who misled the farmers and take appropriate action,” he added.

Open flower market 

People are dependent on Devaraja Market for fruits, flowers and vegetables. But this market has been closed since last two months causing hardship to wholesale and retail flower vendors. Now, we are selling flowers at Gandhi Square but not even 10 percent of customers are coming. 

In Devaraja Market, 20 percent of traders are into wholesale business and over 60 percent are into retail business. Most of the flower vendors across the city used to buy flowers from Devaraja Market. Now, even farmers were incurring huge losses with no buyers. If we bring two tons of fruits, not even one ton is sold. The District Administration must allow the re-opening of Devaraja Market at the earliest. — N. Manjunath, Gayatri Flower Stall, Devaraja Market