Day after protest over drop in prices, onion auctions start at Lasalgaon APMC
Nashik (PTI): Onion auctions at Lasalgaon APMC in Maharashtra's Nashik began on Tuesday, a day after farmers halted the process for sometime and staged a protest by climbing atop a water tank against the drop in prices of the key kitchen staple.
The protesters on Monday demanded that the 20 percent export duty on onions be removed, claiming it as the reason for the drop in prices at the Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) in Lasalgaon, which is Asia's biggest wholesale onion market.
As many as 15 farmers climbed atop a water tank to protest the drop in prices of onion and also stalled its auctions for sometime on Monday.
"There is a drop of Rs 300-500 in the average prices of both red and summer crop of onions. The 20 percent export duty on onions must be removed," one of the protesters said.
A source at the APMC said 11,500 quintals of onions were brought to the market for auction on Monday.
The prices were Rs 1,000 per quintal minimum, Rs 2,201 per quintal maximum and Rs 1,800 per quintal average for the summer crop of onions.
On the other hand, prices for red onions were Rs 800 per quintal minimum, Rs 2,005 per quintal maximum and Rs 1,700 per quintal average.
"These prices were Rs 2,250-2300 just five days ago. As a result, the farmers protested," the source said.
The farmers later called off the protest after state Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate assured them that Yeola (in Nashik district) MLA Chhagan Bhujbal will raise the issue in the ongoing budget session of the legislature.
Police also arrived at the spot to pacify the protesters and maintain law and order.
On Tuesday, regular auctions were underway at the APMC.
Nearly 13,000 quintals of onions were brought in 500 vehicles at the APMC in the morning.
As the auction of the summer crop of onions began, the prices were Rs 600 per quintal minimum, Rs 1,951 per quintal maximum and Rs 1,600 per quintal average. The auction of red onions was yet to begin, the source said.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
