Commodity markets closed in Rajasthan

The 237 commodity markets remained closed today in Rajasthan on account of a strike called by the Rajasthan Khadya Padarth Vypar Sangh to protest against the Rajasthan's government's decision to lower the commission from 2 per cent to 1 per cent.

According to estimates, business worth Rs 25 crore was affected due to the strike and the state exchequer suffered a loss of Rs 3 crore.

Babulal Gupta, general secretary of the Rajasthan Khadya Padarth Sangh, said the government was trying to help the multi-national corporations and it was difficult for them to understand how it would be beneficial for farmers.

The state government recently had lowered the commission on bajra, jowar, maize, etc from 2 to 1 per cent and this is what is troubling the mandi traders and commission agents.

"Reduction in commission will not benefit farmers in any way but it will definitely hit the mandi traders," Gupta added. He said it would be difficult to run business on 1 per cent commission.

Gupta said Agriculture Minister Prabhu Lal Sani had said reducing the commission would benefit the farmers by Rs 4 crore. On the contrary Gupta said the reduction would directly benefit ITC and Cargill.

"Farmers will never accept such policies," Gupta said.