Azadpur mandi: Traders mint money out of people's misery

New Delhi: Amid row over restrictions on entry of vehicles from Haryana to Azadpur mandi, reports of hoarding of vegetables at various levels and their price rise are being witnessed in the National Capital and its surrounding areas.

According to sources, the government agencies have been ensuring adequate supply to the market, hence prices should be stable but hoarders at

mandi and retail market are reportedly active and are taking advantage of the situation resulting in surge of vegetables prices up to 30 per cent in the local market.

As per the reports, traders from both Himachal Pradesh and Haryana who ensure supply of a huge chunk of total demand of vegetables and fruits to Delhi-NCR through Azadpur mandi and other mandis in the Capital, due to a spate of COVID cases from Azadpur mandi, the agencies have allowed entry of vehicles with strict vigilance.

The suppliers from these two states, however, claim to maintain supply despite restrictions. Here role of retailers and sub-traders are under scanner as these two players, sitting at the bottom of supply and demand chain, might be leading price rise during these days.

"Hoarders are active at all levels whether at wholesale markets, locals markets or retail shops. Considering the fact that people have to stay at homes to contain spread of Coronavirus, they have been minting money. Traders have been stocking items at mandis. Sub-traders, retailers and shopkeepers are also doing the same these days. The government agencies must check malpractices to ensure supply of vegetables at reasonable prices to buyers," said a trader from Azadpur mandi.

The traders, on the other hand, claim that there is a drop in supply, which might be a reason for the price hike. They also claim a drop in business due to sudden spike in positive cases from the mandi, where as many as 11 have tested positive and a death of a trader was also reported in recent past.

Following the development, the entire area was properly disinfected. "Earlier a trader succumbed while nearly a dozen were reported positive. An infected vegetable seller from here also went to Sonipat after which the Sonipat authorities sealed the border with Delhi resulting in lesser supply.

Now the situation is majority of traders are avoiding the mandi to carry on with their business. Condition of other mandis is also similar as traders are maintaining social distance with lesser footfall," said another trader from the mandi.

On Wednesday around 5000 tonnes of vegetables and fruits arrived in Azadpur mandi. Since the lockdown, arrival of fruits and vegetables were being recorded which showed that 7000 to 8000 tonnes would arrive on some days.