Farmers and Traders are facing heavy losses due to lockdown of markets

The Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangankalin Peramaippu (All Traders Body Association) recently demanded the state government to immediately re-open the markets across the state which was shut down as a part of efforts to control the spread of COVID-19.

The association filed a petition which stated that the refusal to open markets was filed due to increasing losses for its members and also can lead to an increase in price essential products.

State president of the association AM Vikramaraja in the petition submitted to the Chief Minister demanded that the Chennai Koyambedu market, Trichy's Gandhi market, Vellore's Nethaji market and similar markets in other districts across the state along with flower and meat markets to be reopened.

The traders suggested the government take necessary precautions and actions to prevent the spread of the COVID-19. Earlier in Chennai, failure to follow social distancing and follow important precautions led to an increase of cases in markets across the city.

Following the situation, all trade activities were shifted to the Thirumzhisai market, but the traders are unhappy with the current situation.

In the petition, traders pointed out those recent rains that happened in the state have resulted in turning the market into sludge and slush, which led to problems for vehicles to come in and collect produce. Further said even regular buyers and sellers were unable to come in and carry out purchases.

As a result, traders are facing huge losses and the produce is stuck at the market due to lack of proper transport. Farmers who come to the markets to sell are unable to due to the market situation. This will lead to shortage in supply and soon raise vegetable rates in the state.

They said traders across all markets in the state are facing similar conditions which resulted in huge losses both for them and farmers, while the produce has rotten.

"Traders across Tamil Nadu have been cooperating with the government but have lost their livelihoods. The market in Chennai (Thirumzhisai) doesn't even have basic facilities and there are several problems there. Traders are scared and don't want to even enter the market,” said Vikramraja to reports at the secretariat