Koyambedu vegetable traders in Chennai caught in dilemma

CHENNAI:

Koyambedu Wholesale vegetable market traders are in a dilemna. Vegetable stocks are arriving but there are no takers as the regular supply to hotels, hostels, canteens and retail vegetable markets is hit. With the drop in profits and sales, the vegetable traders have demanded that the market be closed for two-days beginning Friday.



S Chandran, Market management Committee Licensed Merchants Association President and Anaithu Sangankalin Kootamaipu general secretary told Express that initially hey had announced two-day closure of market beginning from Friday. However, the government intervend and asked the traders to keep the market open as it will result in the rise in price of vegetables.



As a result, the market will remain open. What is more is that the government has ensured that retail markets in T Nagar, Ambattur, Avadi, Mylapore, Tamabaram and other places of city will remain open thus doing away with the fear of non-availability of vegetables n Chennai during the 21-day lockdown.



A top Market Management Committee official told Express that the traders had put forth their demands to open the supply chain and the government will open the retail markets as they claim nearly more than a tonne of vegetable is getting wasted.



Meanwhile, Chandran has said the labourers working in the market will be provided free food by the traders. "We have ensured that the labourers who are key in loading and unloading the vegetables will be provided with food," he said.



To a query on whether the retail market in the wholesale market will function, he said they have sought permission from the government to keep it open. he said that masks and sanitisers will have to be provided to the workers by traders. he also said the traders have put forth demand to have scanners to screen vistors and workers for Coronavirus symptoms.



He also said the government should ensure the traders as well as workers who are key in ensuring the supply of vegetables across the city don't get Coronavirus by screening and testing them.