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Farmers in Maharashtra's Ahmednagar district took a stand against the recent decision by the Central government to impose a 40 per cent duty on onion exports. They disrupted the onion auction in Rahuri tehsil's wholesale market as a form of protest.

The move by the Central government to impose the export duty until December 31, 2023, aims to increase the availability of onions in the domestic market amidst concerns about rising prices. However, local farmers expressed disappointment over the decision, as they were anticipating favourable returns from onion exports. They fear that the duty will eliminate the possibility of exporting onions, leading to a price crash in the domestic market and financial losses for farmers.

Sandeep Jagtap, the state president of Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatna, criticized the government's stance as anti-farmer and accused it of prioritizing consumers' interests over those of farmers. With many regions in Maharashtra experiencing insufficient rainfall, the arrival of fresh onions in the market is expected to be delayed. This situation, combined with the export duty, has led to farmers receiving lower prices for their produce, impacting their income.

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Farmers in Rahuri tehsil halted the onion auction in the wholesale market as a means of protest. They called for the government's attention to their concerns, emphasizing that the export duty has signalled to traders that onions will only be sold domestically. As a result, traders have begun quoting lower prices for the produce. The Lasalgaon Agriculture Produce Market Committee, which is Asia's largest wholesale onion market, reported a significant increase in onion prices over the past week. The prices soared by about 45 per cent in just one week, reaching Rs 2,200 per quintal. However, the rates have started to decline due to the near impossibility of exporting onions.

A man facing criminal charges in Kalyan town of Maharashtra's Thane district has been detained under provisions of the stringent Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities (MPDA) Act, a police official said here on Sunday.

More than half-a-dozen cases, including for unlawful assembly and attempt to murder, had been registered against the accused, Sajid @ Shannu Mohammad Akil Shaikh (25), at various police stations in Kalyan, senior police inspector AB Honmane of MFC police station told PTI

The accused was on Saturday detained under the MPDA and lodged at the Yerawada prison in neighbouring Pune district for one year, the official said.