Arhtiyas’ strike causes shortage of fruits, veggies in Sunam

Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Sunam, April 30

Residents of Sunam are facing shortage of vegetables and fruits as local vegetable and fruit arhtiyas (commission agents) have been on strike for the past three days.

The arhtiyas are protesting against the notices sent by the local market committee for the recovery of market fee.

As per the arhtiyas, the committee authorities have sent them notices for the recovery of fee in the range of Rs 80,000 to Rs 8 lakh to the majority of arhtiyas out of the total of 35.

Arhtiyas claim that they have been regularly paying the fee every week and the committee has issued notices without any valid reason. They have demanded the withdrawal of recovery notices.

“The market committee has sent us recovery notices for the past two years. If we hadn’t paid their fee, why did they allow us to operate from their premises?” said Sandeep Jindal, president of Sunam Fruit and Vegetable Arhtiyas Association.

“I met the arhtiyas today and then asked the committee secretary how he could ask for the payment of fee for things sold two years back? Arhtiyas have been paying the fee regularly. I have conveyed all facts to the senior authorities of the committee also,” said Aman Arora, AAP Sunam MLA.

When The Tribune tried to contact Mandeep Singh, secretary of the market committee, his mobile phone was out of coverage area.