Agitation over
LBT affects hoteliers too
By Dinesh Kamath
NAVI MUMBAI: Ever since LBT was implemented in Navi Mumbai, the
APMC masala and dry fruit market in Vashi had their shops closed down to
express their support to wholesalers' strike; since then, Mumbai, Thane and
Navi Mumbai have not been receiving the supply of essential items. The
authorities of APMC Market have warned that the shortage would be aggravated.
Restaurants
too are facing problems. Some hotels do not have enough coconut to prepare many
favourite dishes of the customers. Since coconut is not available, the hoteliers
are forced to strike off the item that needs coconut from their menu. Some of
the hoteliers do have little stock of coconuts left but that will suffice only
for a couple of day.
Wholesalers
and retailers across Vashi are facing shortage of sugar. Some stores have
started restricting sales to 2 kg per customer. They prefer to attend to
genuine customers first and foremost. Some shopkeepers are being accused of
hoarding their stock and waiting for the price to rise.
Stocks
of chillies and dry fruit are also depleting fast because the wholesale market
is shut. The wholesalers are being blamed for the hike. But this is a burden
for common man.
A
dry fruit and spice trader said that initially he was paying cess but now LBT
has forced him to sell his items at exorbitant rate.
LBT
is preventing Maharashtra from competing with markets of Gujarat and Delhi
The
vegetable vendors are making hay while the sun shines. They have increased the
price of vegetables like lady fingers, cabbage, etc. The transporters have
increased their transport charges, thus taking undue advantage of the
situation.
Traders
at APMC were thankful that the grain market had resumed operations after a
short solidarity strike, otherwise the supply of rice, pulses and wheat would
be hit too.
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