Minister dallies; markets closed

Even as the wholesale market at Market Yard, Gultekdi wore a deserted look today owing to indefinite bandh called by wholesale traders on the issue of the amended APMC act, the proposed morcha by the traders was cancelled at the last moment with their leaders declaring that the bandh had been called off.

This morning, president of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Market Yard Adate Association Vilas Bhujbal said that they were off to the district collector8217;s office to inform him that the bandh had been called off and would shortly make a formal announcement to this effect. However, there seemed to be no signs of any written order coming from Mumbai in the afternoon leading to restlessness among the commission agents who obviously seemed to be in a mood to call off the strike.

8220;Let there be no confusion. The bandh will continue. Even the State-level traders meet will be held as per schedule on April 26 to decide the issue of Maharashtra bandh. Since the Minister is yet to issue any written order, we will continue to keep a watch on Mumbai,8221; Rajesh Shah, president of the Poona Merchants Chamber told The Indian Express.

Even Vilas Bhujbal who looked a worried man said, 8220;We cannot call off the bandh on the basis of an oral order. What happens if we call off the bandh today and no order comes in tomorrow.8221; The traders have now decided to adopt a wait and watch attitude until a firm decision came from Mumbai.

Meanwhile, the Agriculture Produce Market Committee APMC chairman Pandurang Khese maintained that they had succeeded in selling off about 20 truckloads of vegetables which had arrived in Market Yard early this morning. While two truckloads were sent to Mumbai, he said that the Market Committee did not open any temporary retail outlets in different parts of the city since the goods were sold off at the main market. The traders hope to meet the Cooperation Minister who is slated to visit the city on April 25 to inaugurate the facility centre for cargo service for agro-produce from Lohegaon airport.

I won citizens8217; trust8217;
8220;The tender sets for the mega water plan will be issued this month,8221; outgoing Municipal Commissioner Ramanath Jha said adding that he would seek the State Government8217;s intervention in the matter.

When contacted by media persons after the GB meeting, Jha said, 8220;I will use my emergency powers to set the process rolling. The standing committee and the State Government havealready given approval to the plan. It will not be in the interest of the PMC to halt it at this juncture.8221;

A disgusted Shantilal Suratwala said, 8220;The PVA members wanted to rob Jha of his credit at the behest of their leader. It is really tragic that they do not even have the decency to congratulate the outgoing civic chief.8221;

Jha who has been transferred as the chairman and managing director of the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority said that he would take charge of his new office by April end.Asked what was his biggest achievement during his three-year tenure as the PMC commissioner, Jha said, 8220;I was able to win the trust of the people. There is no better achievement than this. No doubt several of my proposals led to public debates. However, people had a faith that I was not working against the interest of the city.8221;Recalling the solid support extended by the Puneites to him when a group of elected members had pressed for his transfer last year, an emotionally charged Jha said, 8220;Itwas a dream day for me. I shall cherish it all my life.8221;8220;It was a job of great temptation. I thank god that he gave me the strength to resist them,8221; Jha said. The only regret he had that he had to leave when the process of preparing the Development Plan DP for the 38 fringe villages merged with the PMC had just begun.