Mumbai DP earmarks specific space for farmers to sell vegetables

Farmers market a day in a week will be allowed in designated areas. Recently, few farmers threw away their vegetables at the Mantralya gate and alleged BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials and local politicians did not allow them to sell vegetables and demanded bribe. The state marketing ministry has promoted open vegetable market once in a week at specific areas. As the area will be earmarked in Development Plan (DP) 2034, farmers can sell vegetables in the open market. The Maharashtra government in June 2016 decided to allow farmers to sell their produce in the open market. The move aimed to facilitate better financial remunerations for the farmers who would be free from the regulatory mechanism of agriculture produce marketing committees (APMCs).

Even after taking this decision by the Bharatiya Janata Party government, farmers have to compulsorily sell vegetables and fruits to traders licenced by the APMCs. The farm produce is then retailed by traders at the designated APMC markets. The farmers have no say on determining the price mechanism. It was the initiative of Sadabhau Khot, minister of state for marketing and he had inaugarated first of its kind open market at Vidhan Bhavan. Farmers from neighboring districts brings vegetables in suburb of Mumbai to sale. However, recently, few farmers agitated before the entrance gate of Mantralaya and threw all vegetables. Farmers blamed BMC officials have nexus with vegetable vendors from other state who sale vegetables in market and they did not allow farmers from own state to sale vegetables.

Ajoy Mehta, municipal commissioner said, special space will be earmarked for farmers to sale vegetables on particular day once in a week in suburban cities of Mumbai. He said, on that day, the road will be allow for farmers only.

Mehta said, the new DP-2034 has given priority to social and art sector. There is provision to construct shelters for homeless. Special play parks, reading, painting spaces for children, old age home for the old, Development Control Rule for differently abled persons. Road will be designed for differently abled persons. He further said, 20 percent of institutional area to be carved out for art and culture. More art galleries, museums, art and music schools will be promoted.

Nitin Kareer, Principal secretary of Urban Development Department (UDD) said, there were demands from theatre owners to allow them development. If they will keep certain necessary area for art and culture activities, they can redevelop the area of theatre for other purposes.