Belagavi District Administration Resolves Flower Market Controversy with Expansion Plan
The district administration in Belagavi has taken decisive action to address a recent controversy surrounding the city's wholesale flower trade. Following the unauthorized opening of a parallel market in the Cantonment Board area without approval from the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC), officials have announced plans to construct additional shops at the existing Ashok Nagar wholesale flower market. This move aims to accommodate all traders under one roof and ensure regulatory compliance.
Joint Meeting Leads to Key Decisions
The resolution was reached during a joint meeting chaired by District Minister Satish Jarkiholi on Wednesday evening, which included traders from both the Ashok Nagar and Cantonment locations. The administration has committed to shifting all traders who began operating from the unauthorized Cantonment area back to the approved Ashok Nagar market. This decision emphasizes the importance of operating within the legal framework established by the APMC Act.
Addressing Trader Concerns with Extended Leases
Traders who relocated to the new Cantonment location cited the annual lease expiration at Ashok Nagar as their primary reason for moving. In response, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan clarified that the lease period has now been extended to two years, with shop allotments requiring renewal only once every two years. This change provides much-needed stability for traders who previously faced uncertainty due to short-term arrangements.
The issue stemmed from conflicting lease policies between the APMC and the horticulture department. While the APMC typically grants leases for 55 months, the horticulture department had been issuing them for only 12 months. Despite this discrepancy, the district administration has standardized the current lease period to two years to create consistency and reliability for all market participants.
Market Expansion and Temporary Solutions
According to horticulture department officials, the Ashok Nagar wholesale flower market currently has 28 shops, with 12 already allotted to traders. Tenders will soon be floated for the remaining shops to accommodate additional vendors. Deputy Commissioner Roshan has also directed officials to temporarily utilize available open space on the premises to provide immediate accommodation for vendors until permanent shop construction is completed.
Unified Market Operation Emphasized
Belagavi North MLA Asif Sait strongly advocated for all traders to function under one roof, stating that the APMC Act does not permit private markets. "While there is a provision for sub-markets under the same APMC, it involves several complex procedures. It is far better that all traders operate from a single location," he explained. "The district administration will fully support efforts to accommodate everyone at one unified market, ensuring both regulatory compliance and operational efficiency."
This comprehensive approach by the Belagavi district administration not only resolves the immediate controversy but also establishes a more stable and organized framework for the wholesale flower trade in the region. By extending lease periods, constructing additional infrastructure, and enforcing unified market operations, officials are creating an environment where traders can conduct business with greater confidence and security.
