An indifinite strike by hamalis (transport labourers) has brought trading activities at the Anakapalli jaggery market to a standstill.
The hamalis are demanding a hike in their remuneration by 20 paise. Shop operators currently pay Rs 1.50 per 10 kg of jaggery for loading and unloading. Apart from this, traders, who purchase jaggery from shop owners and export it to other places, pay Rs 1 per 10 kg. The hamalis have rejected the proposal of traders to increase the remuneration by 12 paise, said K Buchi Raju, a trader, at Anakapalli market. About 160 hamalis depend on Anakapalli for their livelihood.
Jaggery worth Rs 120-150 crore is traded every year at the market. At present, 25,000-30,000 lumps (each lump contains 15 kg) arrive here daily. Traders are now planning to shift to the Chodavaram market yard from Anakapalli, if the strike is not called off in a day or two, he said.
