Malgodown traders withdraw strike

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Cuttack, Oct 28:

In a major relief to consumers, the Malgodown traders who had stopped import of food grains since yesterday for an indefinite period in protest against raids by the Odisha government’s Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare department on pulses traders across the state today withdrew their stir following talks with the Cuttack collector this afternoon.

In the talks held between the Cuttack collector and the Cuttack Malgodown Byabasayee Mahasangh today in the afternoon it was decided to sell arhar dal and moong dal at five ‘Maitri’ (fair price) shops in the city.

It was decided at the meeting that the district administration in coordination with the traders’ association will sell arhar dal at Rs 135 a kg and moong dal at Rs 100 a kg to consumers at the five Maitri shops in the city.

However, it was decided at the meeting that the collector would take a decision on the pulses seized during the raids.

“Since people are in panic we have accepted the minister’s request for selling pulses at fair price. We had been to the collector. The meeting was very cordial. Following that we had a meeting at our chamber. It was unanimously decided at the meeting to withdraw our strike with all respect to the minister’s request and the request of the government. We are hopeful that everything will be normal,” said Prasant Patra, member Cuttack Chamber of Commerce speaking to reporters.

“The problem with regard to pulses is almost solved. The district administration and the Byabasayee Mahasangh will jointly sell pulses in five counters in Cuttack city where arhar dal and moong dal will be respectively sold at Rs 135 a kg and Rs 100 a kg. They have withdrawn their decision to stop imports,” said Nirmal Mishra, collector Cuttack.

It may be recalled that traders during their meeting with the Food Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister on Monday had demanded review of Odisha Specified Foodstuffs (Stock Holding Limit) Order, 2010 keeping in view the market demand. The minister had assured the traders that a decision with to regard to review of the stock holding limit will be taken within 15 days.

As per Odisha Specified Foodstuffs (Stock Holding Limit) Order, 2010,  a stockist can at best hold 750 quintals of pulses at one time according to the Odisha Specified Foodstuffs (Stock Holding Limit) Order, 2010.