Eateries struggled to source produce yesterday as even substandard vegetables were being sold for as much as three times the normal price
Just one day of the APMC strike has nearly crippled restaurants across the city, even as vegetable traders plan to continue with their ‘mass leave’ today as well. Not only were prices sky high, but what little supply of vegetables entered the market was mostly substandard.
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The APMC market in Vashi has been shut since yesterday, as traders protest the amendments to the APMC Act. Pic/Sneha Kharabe
Restaurateurs claim that if the situation doesn’t change, they may have to shut down due to the shortage of vegetables. Now, the Indian Hotel & Restaurant Association (AHAR) has turned to the government for help, receiving assurances of help from Additional Chief Secretary (Planning) Sunil Porwal.
Read Story: Govt threatens to dissolve APMCs, scrap agent permits if strike continues
AHAR president Adarsh Shetty, who owns two hotels in Sion and Chembur, said, “The vegetables in the market were of poor quality. Vegetables are highly perishable, so we don’t keep them in stock and instead depend on daily purchases. On Tuesday, the APMC market was closed, leading to imbalance in demand. Even the substandard vegetables were being sold at as much as three times the normal rates,” added Shetty.
“The normal rate for capsicum is Rs 65, but on Tuesday, it was being sold for R135. We bought 5 kg, but could use less than half of it. As much as 3 kg had to be thrown, as it was too bad to be used. If this issue is not resolved, restaurants might have to shut down,” Shetty added.
Yesterday, AHAR members met Additional Chief Secretary Porwal, who assured them that the government would ensure that food commodities reach the market directly from farmers in Ahmednagar, Nashik and Satara. They are co-ordinating with the rural and city police to prevent any interference from traders. Porwal also said if necessary, vegetable sellers would be provided security.
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