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.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
