New Mandi curbs raise veggie shortage worry
The AAP government’s decision to restrict footfalls at the city’s mandis by allowing just one truck per wholesaler to bring in supplies and issuing 2,000 tokens to retailers daily has created fear that this may lead to a shortage of vegetables and fruits and a surge in prices. This is a part of a series of steps to enforce social distancing.
Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) of Azadpur, Asia’s biggest vegetable, and fruits mandi, has also decided to implement an odd-even scheme by allowing sale at odd-numbered platforms in each shed on dates ending with 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 and even-numbered platforms on dates ending with 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8. This would mean that the mandi will function at 50% of its capacity till the lockdown is lifted in the capital though officials assure that the supply of vegetables and fruits arriving in Delhi would be enough to cater to the demand of the capital and won’t lead to any shortage.
Wholesalers, however, claim that with a fewer number of trucks being allowed to enter the mandi and restrictions on the entry of retailers, the Supply of vegetables and fruits may get affected and prices may increase.