Rajasthan agricultural traders plan 5-day strike from Saturday

In Rajasthan, the trade agents are paid 2 per cent margin for commodities they handle

Around 25,000 traders spread across 247 wholesale agricultural markets (mandis) in Rajasthan are planning a five-day strike, beginning this Saturday. State agriculture ministry officials said they were not aware of any such development.

The traders’ body says it wants an increase in the permitted trade margins, discontinuation of online agri markets, and withdrawal of foodgrain from futures trading, amongst others.

In Rajasthan, the trade agents (artiyas) are paid 2 per cent margin for commodities they handle. 

Owing to the Centre’s decision to expand Minimum Support Price buying beyond the usual wheat, mustard seed and chana (gram) to cotton and moong (yellow lentil), their