Belagavi: District minister Satish Jarkiholi clarified that he had no role in withdrawing permission for Jai Kisan Private Wholesale Vegetable Market, stating that it was a govt decision. He mentioned that farmers are being persuaded to shift to the APMC market.Speaking to the media at Congress Bhavan on Tuesday, Satish Jarkiholi said that, in the wake of farmers’ opposition to the operation of a private vegetable market in Belagavi, the issue of shifting the private vegetable market to the APMC market was also mentioned in the election manifesto. It was promised that steps would be taken to shift the private vegetable market to the APMC market. The shift took place following a govt order. The minister further clarified that no market transactions are allowed in violation of the law, so the govt order has been issued to protect the interests of farmers and APMCs, and the private vegetable market has been relocated.He informed that crores of rupees in taxes are already being collected due to the relocation of APMC markets, which is not only generating revenue for the govt but also benefiting farmers.Traders’ meet at APMC marketAfter interacting with the media, minister Satish Jarkiholi visited the APMC premises and held a meeting with APMC officials, district administration officials, and traders. He also inspected the stalls in the APMC market. The minister said that a court case is going on regarding the Jai Kisan Vegetable Market. He instructed the Belagavi police commissioner to make arrangements for traders in the govt APMC. Traders of both markets should conduct their business in harmony, he suggested.As per the demand of Jai Kisan traders, we will resolve their problem within three months. If necessary, we are ready to build new stalls. If there is any problem, the concern should be brought to his attention.MLAs Asif (Raju) Sait, Babasaheb Patil, deputy commissioner Mohammed Roshan, police commissioner Bhushan Gulabarao Borase, sub-divisional officer Shravan Naik, zilla panchayat CEO Rahul Shinde, Belagavi agricultural produce committee secretary Vishwanath Reddy, leaders Shivanagouda Patil, KPCC secretary Sunil Hanamannavar, Jai Kisan and APMC market traders were present.
