Belagavi wholesale flower market to get more shops to resolve controversy

(Pic for representation only)Belagavi: The district administration has decided to construct additional shops at the existing wholesale flower market in Ashok Nagar to accommodate more traders, following a controversy over a parallel market that opened in the Cantonment Board area without APMC approval.The decision was taken at a joint meeting of traders from both locations, chaired by district minister Satish Jarkiholi on Wednesday evening. The administration resolved to shift and accommodate all traders who began operating from the Cantonment area back to the Ashok Nagar market.Traders who moved to the new location said they were compelled to do so as the lease of the Ashok Nagar market expires annually and lapsed recently. Responding to their concerns, deputy commissioner Mohammad Roshan clarified that the lease period is now extended for two years, and shop allotments need renewal only once in every two years.Officials indicated that the issue stemmed from differing lease policies of the APMC and the horticulture department. While the APMC grants leases for 55 months, the horticulture department issues them for 12 months. Despite this discrepancy, the district administration extended the current lease period to two years to ensure stability for traders.According to horticulture department officials, the Ashok Nagar wholesale flower market has 28 shops, of which 12 were already allotted. Tenders will soon be floated for the remaining shops. The deputy commissioner also directed officials to temporarily utilise available open space on the premises to accommodate additional vendors until permanent arrangements are made.Belagavi North MLA Asif Sait said all traders should function under one roof. "The APMC Act does not permit private markets. While there is a provision for sub-markets under the same APMC, it involves several procedures. It is better that all traders operate from one location, and the district administration will support efforts to accommodate everyone at a single market," he said.