BANKING TRADE AND COMMERCE

REGULATED MARKETS

Marketing of agricultural produce was fraught with a number of malpractices on the part of the traders which resulted into a loss to the agriculturist. The average agriculturist who had to sell his produce out of distress was offered unduly low prices. The value of the produce was not paid in time and was subjected to enormous deductions which the agriculturist could hardly understand. As a matter of fact the agricultural produce market was a buyer's market over which the seller had practically no control. This state of affairs received the attention of the Royal Commission on Agriculture (1927) which recommended to the Government the necessity of regulating the trade in agricultural commodities. Accordingly the then Government of Bombay enacted the Bombay Cotton Markets Act in 1927. Subsequently, the Bombay Provincial Banking Enquiry Committee (1931) also stressed the need for protection to the agricultural community in the disposal of marketable surplus by establishing a chain of regulated markets. Similarly various Government commissions appointed from time to time also stressed the need to protect the interest of the agriculturists and evolve a pattern of regulation of marketing. However, nothing did happen to improve the conditions in Ahmadnagar district. It was only after the enactment of the Bombay Agricultural Produce Markets Act of 1939 that a beginning was made towards safeguarding the interests of the agriculturist. This Act brought the sale and purchase of a number of commodities under the purview of the enactment.

The principal objectives of this enactment were: (1) to bring about equity in bargaining power among the agriculturists and traders, (2) to promote mutual confidence, (3) to prevent malpractices and (4) to give a fair deal to the peasants. This enactment led to the establishment of market committees at the following places [Year of establishment of the market committee is given in bracket.]:—Ahmadnagar (11-8-1954), Kopargaon (26-4-1948), Shrirampur (4-6-1958), Rahuri (18-2-1950), Sangamner (19-11-1959), Shevgaon (15-4-1955), Pathardi (22-12-1955), Nevasa (24-4-1975), Jamkhed (31-3-1967) and Shrigonda (1966).

Under the provisions of the Bombay Agricultural Produce Markets Act of 1939 the market committees comprised elected representatives of agriculturists and traders as well as nominated members from Government and local bodies. The Act also regulated the market practices. The prices of agricultural commodities brought into the market were settled by open auction or open agreement. The general commission agents, or adatyas as they were called, served as intermediaries between the agriculturists and traders. After the sale was effected the buyer used to take delivery of the produce on the market yard and paid the value of the goods to the agriculturists or his general commission agents on the same day.

The Bombay Agricultural Produce Markets Act of 1939 has now been repealed with the enforcement of the Maharashtra Agricultural Produce Marketing (Regulation) Act of 1963. All the regulated markets established under the repealed Act of 1939 are deemed to be established under the new Act.

According to the new Act, viz., Maharashtra Agricultural Produce Marketing (Regulation) Act, 1963, the prices of all the agricultural commodities brought into the market are settled by open auction or by an open agreement in the presence of officials of the market committee. This rule is strictly adhered to. Previously cotton was sold by fardi system and the rate of cotton was declared in the market committee's office. The system was found to be defective as there was no chance of getting maximum prices for the produce of the cultivators for their good quality produce. To remove these defects a new system, viz., the cart-wise auction of cotton was introduced. Under this system the produce is arranged in heaps or in bullock-carts near the adat shop of the authorised general commission agent. The general commission agents, who are also called adatyas, play the key-role of intermediaries between the cultivators and traders. They dispose of the agricultural produce on behalf of the cultivators and get commission in this transaction at rates prescribed by the market committee. The traders or their representatives inspect the agricultural produce and start bidding in the presence of the market supervisors appointed by the market committee. As soon as the bargain is agreed between the cultivator and the trader through the commission agent, the general commission agent prepares an agreement called kabulayat regarding price and quantity of the produce, etc. The officials of the market committee supervise all these transactions. The bargain is registered in the register of market committee, after which the necessary payments regarding market fee etc. are made to the market committee.

The weighment of all agricultural commodities except cotton is completed in the market yard by the licensee of the market committee. As soon as the weighment is completed payment is made to the cultivator-seller immediately.

The market committees thus do their best to serve the agriculturists by giving them just reward for their produce and to free them from the age-long clutches of the traders. Moreover, they encourage and propagate the importance of bringing pure, unadulterated and clean produce which fetches higher price.

The entire modus operandi of marketing is closely watched by the officials of the market committees. The code of business conduct is prescribed and arrangements are made to settle any dispute as and when it arises. The functionaries in the market, viz., general commission agents, hamals, and weighmen are licensed by the market committees. On payment of a prescribed fee they are issued licences. The market committees shoulder the responsibilities of ensuring smooth and steady business and protection to the interests of the agriculturists.

Besides, the market committees also give publicity and disseminate the information of prices and market news. All the statistical information is sent to the Marketing Research Officer, Bombay, the Economic and Statistical Advisor to Government of India, New Delhi and other concerned offices. Everyday the prices of jowar and cotton are sent to the Government of India, New Delhi, by telegram and prices of important commodities are intimated to the Marketing Research Officer, Bombay, by express telegram for broadcast. Daily prices are also intimated by telegram to Pune Radio Station and some important Grampanchayats. Besides, the trend of prices of various commodities in important regulated markets in the district as well as Maharashtra State are announced for information of the local agriculturists before the auction takes place. This serves as a guide to the sellers as well as to the buyers of agricultural produce.

The work of supervision and control over regulated markets was done by the District Deputy Registrar of Co-operative Societies, Ahmadnagar, since the inception of the market committees in the district. But with the passing of the Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis Act of 1961 the work of supervision and control over regulated markets has been entrusted to the Zilla Parishad. The Co-operation and Industries Officer of the Zilla Parishad has to work as a liaison officer between the market committee and the department for promotional activities.

To keep the agricultural produce of the agriculturists intact the storage facilities are made available at a few market committees. The market committees at Ahmadnagar, Shrirampur and Kopargaon have godowns at their market yards and halls where sales take place. The sale purchase unions in these talukas have constructed godowns for stocking the goods till fair prices are realised in the market. No ware-house has been constructed in the market area in the district. No market committee in the district has facilities to store the goods for fair season. There is one large-size godown built by the Ahmadnagar District Urban Central Co-operative Bank Ltd. on the market yard at Ahmadnagar which is in the possession of the Collector of Ahmadnagar for storing Government grains.

Financial position of market committees: The figures of income and expenditure for the three years from 1966-67 to 1968-69 given below show a substantial total surplus of Rs. 1,99,655.38 for the market committees in the district with a steady improvement in their permanent fund. As a result of this the committees have undertaken more developmental activities including provision of amenities on the market yards: —

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE OF MARKET COMMITTEES

(Amount in rupees)

The budget estimates of all the market committees which used to be approved by the Collector are now sanctioned by the Divisional Joint Registrar, Co-operative Societies, Pune. The expenditure incurred by the market committees has to be in accordance with the budget approved by the Co-operative Department. The account of business transactions and the mode of operations of the various existing markets in their structural and historical aspects is given separately in what follows. The turn-over of trade handled by these regulated markets during 1971-72 is shown in Table No. 19.

Shrirampur: The agricultural produce market committee at Shrirampur is one of the most important market committees in the district. It was established on 9th January 1950. The Shrirampur market is supposed to be one of the big market centres in the State of Maharashtra.

The fertile agricultural tract in which it is situated is one of the most important factors responsible for its development. Irrigation facilities from the Pravara Canal have helped to cultivate cash-crops such as sugar-cane, cotton, ground-nut, fruits and other products. The Daund-Manmad railway line is the main artery of trade in this region. This line connects the market to the northern and southern parts of India and all other important commercial centres in Maharashtra. Besides railway, road transport is also convenient for immediate disposal of agricultural produce. The Sangamner-Aurangabad state highway and other major district roads bring the market into an easy access to the distant market centres. The sugar factories run under the fold of co-operative and private sectors have brought the market its present position in the commercial field.

The area of operation of the market committee extends over the radius of entire Shrirampur taluka. The market committee is composed of 15 members of whom seven are elected representatives of agriculturists, four belong to the trading community, two are local representatives and two Government nominees.

The market committee has a principal market yard at Shrirampur and two sub-yards at Belapur and Loni. The commodities regulated at the principal market are gur, mosambi, cotton, ground-nut (shelled and unshelled), safflower, cotton seed, linseed, sesamum, gram, jowar, bajri, wheat, math, mug, kulith, udid, etc. Besides the agricultural commodities, cattle is also regulated. At Belapur sub-yard commodities such as cotton, ground-nut, safflower, wheat, bajri, gram and tur are regulated, whereas Loni sub-yard regulates only cattle.

As it is a well-established market necessary amenities have been provided at the yard. It has a sufficient area for its market yard admeasuring thirty acres of land. The market committee has built a spacious building for its office as also market sheds, approach roads, two sale halls, water tank, water troughs, rest-house, staff quarters etc. At Belapur sub-yard it owns land admeasuring two acres for its market yard where an office building has been built and usual facilities are provided. Loni sub-yard has an area measuring 3 acres and 20 gunthas where a weekly cattle market is also held.

The market committee has spent a large amount of its income for providing the amenities on the market yard. It has also spent over ten lakhs of rupees over the development of its market yard, including the land.

The number of various categories of market functionaries and the rate of licence-fee and the amount collected from them is shown in table No. 20.

The average daily and annual attendance of these functionaries is shown below: —

Shrirampur market is an assembling as well as a distributing market. The prices prevalent at this market give a lead to other markets all over the State. The main agricultural produce to be exported from this market is gur and sugar, followed by cotton, groundnut, safflower and wheat.

Gur is mainly exported to Bombay, Dhulia, Jalgaon, Gujarat and the rest of the States in India. The Shrirampur gur is highly in demand outside Maharashtra also. Agriculturists as well as traders bring their produce by bullock-carts or motor trucks. The freight charges by truck are Rs. 3.75 to Rs. 4.00 per quintal for Bombay; Rs. 2.50 to Rs. 3.00 per quintal for Jalgaon and Rs. 1.25 per quintal for Ahmadnagar. The brisk season for various commodities is as under: gur—October to May; wheat, jowar and gram—March to June; bajri, math, mug, tur—September to January; and ground-nut—September to November.

Financial assistance is rendered to the farmers to purchase the agricultural appliances by the Ahmadnagar District Co-operative Bank which gives advances against the standing crops at the following rates: sugar-cane Rs. 1,600; jowar and wheat Rs 200 each, and cotton Rs. 250 per acre.

TABLE No. 19—OPERATION OF REGULATED MARKETING IN AHMADNAGAR DISTRICT DURING 1971-72

continued..

(Q.=Quantity in tonnes. V.=Value in ' 000 ' Rs.)

TABLE No. 20—INFORMATION REGARDING MARKET FUNCTIONARIES OF SHRIRAMPUR MARKET

This is the biggest market in the district which attracts agricultural produce from all over the district. The total arrivals and value of various agricultural commodities brought here during the period from 1965-66 to 1968-69 are given below, while the commodity-wise arrivals in 1965-66 and 1968-69 are given in table No. 21: —

The cattle trade is also regulated by this market committee, the turn-over of which for the year 1968-69 is given in table No. 22.

There are ample ware-housing facilities at the market yard. There are 58 godowns, the storage capacity of which is above 2,50,000 quintals. The market committee does not possess any of these godowns which are built by traders, co-operative societies and the Government.

TABLE No. 21—ARRIVALS AND VALUE OF VARIOUS REGULATED COMMODITIES AT SHRIRAMPUR MARKET IN 1965-66 AND 1968-69

(Arrivals in quintals, value in rupees)

TABLE No. 22—ARRIVALS AND VALUE OF CATTLE IN SHRIRAMPUR MARKET IN 1968-69

The market committee received Rs. 52,769.60 and Rs. 25,911 by way of market cess and licence-fee, respectively in the year 1968-69, whereas the expenditure was to the tune of Rs. 66,307.52 leaving a surplus of Rs. 40,102.83. The financial position of the committee for the three years from 1966-67 to 1968-69 is shown below:—

Co-operative societies have played an important role in developing agricultural marketing at Shrirampur. All the agricultural commodities are transacted through these co-operative societies. There are at present nine co-operative marketing societies which are the licence-holders of the market committee.

The maximum and minimum wholesale and retail prices of various regulated commodities in Shrirampur market in 1968-69 are given in table No. 23.

TABLE No. 23—MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM WHOLESALE AND RETAIL PRICES OF VARIOUS REGULATED COMMODITIES, SHRIRAMPUR MARKET, 1968-69

(Wholesale prices in rupees per quintal and retail prices in rupees per kg.)

Kopargaon: The agricultural produce market at Kopargaon was established on 16th March 1949, while the actual work of regulation of agricultural trade started from 1st February 1959. The market committee brought under its regulation cotton trade on 28th September 1968. Since then it has received a satisfactory response from agriculturists as well as from traders.

The transport and communication facilities are readily available at Kopargaon which pave the way for quick and easy disposal of agricultural commodities. The market has closer trade-links with Nasik and Aurangabad districts than with Ahmadnagar. The Daund-Manmad railway line of the Central Railway helps to deliver the goods at the distant market centres in Maharashtra.

The area of operation of the market committee extends over the entire Kopargaon taluka. The market committee is composed of 15 representatives, of whom twelve are elected representatives, seven agriculturists, four traders, one local authority, and three Government nominees.

Gur is the most important commodity regulated by this market. Besides gur, the committee has brought under its regulation the following commodities: wheat, jowar, bajri, gram, math, mug, tur, linseed, safflower, mosambi, ground-nut, cotton (ginned and unginned), onion, met hi, maize, grass, fodder and cattle.

The market committee has its own market yard measuring 12 acres and 18 gunthas of land. The market yard is quite spacious and provides all the required facilities to the agriculturists as well as traders. The committee has built open sheds, spacious office building and rest-house. The committee spent Rs. 22,560 for purchasing land for the market yard, Rs. 7,465.16 for laying the water pipe line, Rs. 86,163.36 for construction of market yard and Rs. 15,424.25 for the supply of electricity.

The number of various categories of market functionaries and the amount collected from them as licence-fee is shown in the following statement: —

Kopargaon is an assembling as well as a distributing centre of all the agricultural commodities and is a leading market in the district. The produce is exported to the distant commercial centres inside as well outside Maharashtra State. Gur is exported particularly to Bombay, Khandesh, Amravati, Paratwada and Gujarat State. Cotton is assembled from Ahmadnagar, Shrirampur and Malegaon and is sent to Ahmadabad, Bombay, Sholapur and Khandesh. Agriculturists as well as traders from outside the market area bring the produce for sale in the market. The freight charges by trucks are Re. 1 per quintal to Malegaon (Nasik) and Ahmadnagar, Rs. 1.50 for Dhulia and Aurangabad, Rs. 2 for Pune, Rs. 3 to Rs. 3.50 for Bombay and Sholapur and Rs. 4 per quintal for Indore. The marketing seasons of the various agricultural commodities are gur—October to May; wheat, jowar, gram — March to June; bajri, math, mug, tur — September to January and ground-nut — September to November.

The commission agents and co-operative societies advance loans to agriculturists against standing crops from Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 1,800 per acre for sugar-cane and Rs. 200 to Rs. 300 per acre for food-grains.

As it is a well-established market, agricultural produce from distant places is assembled at Kopargaon. The total arrivals and their value during the period from 1964-65 to 1968-69 are given below, while the commodity-wise turn-over of trade is given in table No. 24: —

There are six jowar procurement centres in the Kopargaon taluka, the total turn-over of which, during 1968-69 is given below: —

TABLE No. 24—ARRIVALS AND VALUE OF ALL REGULATED COMMODITIES DURING 1962-63, 1964-65, 1966-67 AND 1968-69 AT KOPARGAON MARKET

(Arrivals in quintals and value in rupees)

Storage facilities are sufficiently available at the market yard. There are five godowns on the market yard built by co-operative societies. Outside the market yard there are 36 godowns in the town built by the traders and general commission agents.

There are six sugar factories within the jurisdiction of the market committee of which three are in the co-operative sector and the. rest in the private sector. The total production of sugar by the six sugar factories was 15,38,729 bags in 1968-69, of which 8,66,338 bags were produced by co-operative sugar factories and 6,72,391 bags by private sugar factories.

The total income of the market committee was to the tune of Rs. 72,815, of which Rs. 25,897, Rs. 10,060 and Rs. 19,303 were from market cess, cattle-fee and licence-fee, respectively in the year 1968-69, whereas the expenditure was Rs. 49,002 leaving a surplus of Rs. 23,813 in the same year.

The speedy development of the market committee is also due to the important role played by the co-operative marketing societies in the trade transactions in the market. There are four co-operative marketing societies and one traders' association.

Sangamner: The Agricultural Produce Market Committee at Sangamner was established on 19th November 1959 while its actual working started from 1st September 1962. The market is connected to Pune and Nasik by a national highway and by other good roads with markets such as Ahmadnagar, Shrirampur, Kopargaon, Rahuri, Thane and Manmad.

The area of operation of the market committee extends over Sangamner and Akola talukas. The market committee is composed of elected and nominated representatives and has twelve members of whom six are agriculturists' representatives, four traders' representatives and two Government nominees.

The market committee has brought under its regulation various commodities, important among which are jowar, bajri, wheat, paddy (husked and unhusked), gram, tur, mug, math, udid, safflower, groundnut (shelled and unshelled), gur, onion, potato, tomato, khurasani, chola, sesamum, cotton and cottonseed. Similarly sale and disposal of milch and other cattle like cows, bullocks, he-buffaloes, she-buffaloes, horses, sheep and goats is also brought under regulation. There is a proposal to regulate the sale and purchase of all kinds of fruits.

The Sangamner market committee has two market yards, viz., the principal, market yard at Sangamner and the sub-market yard at Akola. The principal market yard at Sangamner has land admeasuring 15 acres and 27 gunthas where all the necessary facilities are available. The sub-market yard at Akola has 4 acres and 12 gunthas of land for market yard. Only storage facilities are available at this market yard.

The total number of the various market functionaries in 1968-69 is given below: —

From all over Sangamner taluka, the entire agricultural produce is collected at this market. The statistics of total arrivals and value of various regulated agricultural commodities during 1964-65 to 1968-69 are given below, while the commodity-wise turn-over of trade at the market is given in table No. 26: —

TABLE No. 25—ARRIVALS AND VALUE OF CATTLE AT SANGAMNER MARKET IN 1964-65, 1966-67 AND 1968-69

(Arrivals in number and value in rupees)

Sufficient facilities for storing of agricultural produce are available at this market. There are 75 godowns in the principal market yard at Sangamner and ten godowns at the sub-market yard at Akola. Out of these godowns nearly thirty godowns are pacca godowns and the rest of them are just improvised for the purpose. These godowns are owned by the traders, commission agents and co-operative societies.

TABLE No. 26—ARRIVALS AND VALUE OF VARIOUS REGULATED COMMODITIES AT SANGAMNER MARKET IN 1962-63, 1964-65, 1966-67 AND 1968-69

(Arrivals in quintals and value in rupees)

The market committee derives its income from various sources, the main among them being market-fee, licence-fee, rent of plot, godown registration fee, etc. The income of the market committee in the year 1968-69 was Rs. 83,053.25 of which the market-fee contributed an amount of Rs. 51,978.90 and licence-fee Rs. 15,715.00, while the expenditure amounted to Rs. 66,610.29 keeping a surplus of Rs. 16,442.96.

Sufficient banking facilities are available at Sangamner. The branch offices of the following banks provide bank credit at Sangamner: —

(1) Ahmadnagar District Central Co-operative Bank Limited,

(2) Ahmadnagar District Urban Central Co-operative Bank Limited,

(3) State Bank of India,

(4) Bank of Baroda,

(5) Sangamner Merchants' Co-operative Bank Limited.

The co-operative marketing movement has played a very important role in boosting up trade by giving assured prices to the agriculturist for his agricultural produce. There are four co-operative marketing societies which are doing the sale and purchase transactions on the market yard. These are:

(1) Sangamner Shetkari Sahakari Sangh Limited,

(2) Ganora Vividh Karyakari Seva Society Sangamner BK.,

(3) Nimgaon Jali Vividh Karyakari Seva Society Limited,

(4) Akola Taluka Kharedi Vikri Sangh.

Pathardi: The Agricultural Produce Market Committee at Pathardi was established on 31st December 1955 while its actual functioning started from 11th October 1959. Pathardi is situated in the famine-stricken belt which is highly susceptible to recurring scarcity conditions. Hence the development of this market has been very slow. It is connected to Ahmadnagar and Shevgaon by major district roads and is dependent upon the commercial activities of these two trade centres.

The area of operation of this market committee extends over the entire Pathardi taluka. The market committee is composed of 15 elected and nominated representatives of whom seven represent agriculturists, four traders, one local authority and three are Government nominees.

The market committee has brought under its fold of regulation the following commodities, viz., jowar, bajri, wheat, cotton (ginned and unginned), sesamum, tur, linseed, math, mug, kulith, vari, chola, udid, ground-nut (shelled and unshelled), gur and cattle such as goats and sheep.

The market committee has its own market yard admeasuring 14 acres. It has provided the usual facilities and a rest-house for the farmers and traders.

The number of market functionaries working at this market is very small, their number being 41 in the year 1968-69. Besides, there are weighmen, processors and hamals on the market yard. The arrivals on this market are brisk on Wednesday which is a bazar day.

The total arrivals and value of the commodities from 1964-65 to 1968-69 are given below, while the commodity-wise turn-over of trade at the market is given in table No. 27:—

TABLE No. 27—ARRIVALS AND VALUE OF REGULATED COMMODITIES AT PATHARDI MARKET FOR 1964-65, 1966-67 AND 1968-69

(Arrivals in quintals and value in rupees)

The market committee levies market charges such as market-fee 0.25 per cent of sales proceeds and handling and weighing, 25 paise and 10 paise, respectively per quintal. The prevailing freight charges from the market to Ahmadnagar are Rs. 1.25, to Pune Rs. 3.50 to Rs. 4.00, to Bombay Rs. 7.00 to Rs. 8.00 and to Shevgaon Re. 0.75 per quintal.

Being a scarcity area, a considerable quantity of consumer goods is imported to Pathardi from the adjoining areas in Bhir district as well as from Ahmadnagar. However, some of the surplus commodities such as mug, bajri, tur and gram are exported from this market to Bombay and Pune directly by motor trucks. The percentage of imports is greater than that of exports.

Storage facilities are available on the market yard for agricultural produce of the farmers. Eighteen godowns have been built by the traders and co-operative societies whose total storage capacity is 7,000 bags. The system of advancing loans against the standing crops is adopted by the co-operative banks at the prescribed rate of interest.

The financial position of the market committee during the years from 1964-65 to 1968-69 is shown below: —

The branches of the Ahmadnagar Urban Co-operative Bank and the Bank of Maharashtra extend financial accommodation to traders at this market.

There are also co-operative marketing societies engaged in adat business at this market. The Pathardi Bhusar and Cotton Association also undertakes purchase and sale of agricultural produce.

Pathardi has also a big cattle market which is brought under the purview of the Maharashtra Agricultural Produce Marketing (Regulation) Act of 1963. There were 300 middlemen engaged in cattle market in 1968-69.

Ahmadnagar: The Agricultural Produce Market Committee of Ahmadnagar is by far the most important one in the district. It was established under the Bombay Agricultural Produce Markets Act, 1939, in August 1954 and the actual working started from 13th January 1956. At present the Maharashtra Agricultural Produce Marketing (Regulation) Act, 1963, has been applied to the market committee. Since its establishment the market committee has achieved remarkable progress in the field of agricultural marketing. Ahmadnagar is situated conveniently as regards transport and communications and is served by the important arteries of trade like the Pune-Ahmadnagar road, and Daund-Manmad railway line. It is also connected to Pune, Sholapur, Nasik, Aurangabad, Bhir and Osmanabad districts by highways.

The area of operation of the market committee extends over the entire Ahmadnagar and Parner talukas. The market committee is composed of 15 elected representatives, of whom seven are from agriculturists, four from traders, one local authority and three Government nominees.

Cotton is an important regulated commodity at this market followed by jowar and bajri. Besides, safflower, ground-nut (shelled and unshelled), sesamum, linseed, nigerseed, tur, gram, mug, udid, math, kulith, vari, cotton seed, chillis, wheat, gul, cattle, sheep and goats have also been brought under regulation. Since 30th September 1969 the market committee brought under its regulation many fruits such as mosambi, bananas, grapes, mangoes, lemons, melons, pods of tamarind, as also castor seed, rala, fodder, etc.

The market committee has purchased a land measuring about 27 acres and 19 gunthas for the market yard and has provided all the necessary amenities. The total expenditure incurred by the market committee amounted to rupees four lakhs.

The number of functionaries in the market yard is given below: — Traders 179; general commission agents 74; weighmen 32; warehouseman 1; processors 9; carting and clearing agents 5; hamals 166, and assistants 118.

Agricultural produce brought for sale in the market is sold by open auction or by open agreement. The daily arrival of produce is so heavy during brisk season that transactions continue from 9.30 a.m. up to 11 p.m. The statistics of arrivals and their value during the years from 1964-65 to 1968-69 are given below while the commodity-wise turn-over of trade at the market is given in table No. 28: —

The arrivals of cereals, pulses, oil-seeds, fibres, chillis and jaggery amounted to 4,17,978 quintals in the principal market yard. There was an increase in arrivals of these commodities in 1968-69 over that in the previous year by 14,867 quintals. In 1968-69 arrivals of jowar, cotton (unginned) and wheat decreased, while the arrivals of bajri, safflower, groundnut, (unshelled), sesamum, linseed, mug, math, kulith and jaggery increased.

TABLE No. 28—ARRIVALS AND VALUE OF VARIOUS REGULATED COMMODITIES AT AHMADNAGAR MARKET IN 1964-65, 1966-67 AND 1968-69

(Arrivals in quintals, value in rupees)

For the proper storage of agricultural produce, the market committee has built a large godown on the market yard which has been rented to the Maharashtra State Warehousing Corporation. There are two sheds for conducting auction of produce. Some traders have built their own godowns on the plots of the market yard. There is another large godown built by the Ahmadnagar District Urban Co-operative Bank on the market yard which is in the possession of the Collector of Ahmadnagar for storage of Government grains and a third one owned by the Ahmadnagar Taluka Purchase and Sale Union, Ahmadnagar, which has been given to the Maharashtra State Warehousing Corporation on rental basis. Ahmadnagar District Purchase and Sale Union Ahmadnagar, has also built a new godown on the market yard. These godowns provide sufficient storage facilities on the market yard.

The position of income and expenditure of the market committee in the years from 1964-65 to 1968-69 is given below: —

Grading system for selected food-grains is prevalent in the market yard at Ahmadnagar. This is the only grading unit in the district. For this purpose Government has appointed a grader. This has a salutory effect upon the quality of the food-grains brought to the market yard by the agriculturists.

The regulation of agricultural marketing at Ahmadnagar is further facilitated by the progress of co-operative marketing societies. The co-operative societies function as general commission agents at the market. There are three such co-operative societies, viz.,—

(1) Nagar Taluka Kharedi Vikri Sangh, Ahmadnagar,

(2) Ahmadnagar District Purchase and Sale Co-operative Union, Ahmadnagar,

(3) Vakodi Vividh Karyakari Seva Sahakari Society, Vakodi, Taluka Ahmadnagar.

The arrivals and value of various regulated commodities sold through these co-operative societies from 1964-65 to 1968-69 are given in table No. 29.

The average monthly prices of important regulated commodities from 1966-67 to 1968-69 at Ahmadnagar market are given in table No. 30.

TABLE No. 29—TURN-OVER OF TRADE HANDLED BY CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES AT AHMADNAGAR MARKET, 1964-65, 1966-67 AND 1968-69

(Arrivals in quintals and value in rupees)

continued..

N. A.=Not available

TABLE No. 30—AVERAGE ANNUAL PRICES OF IMPORTANT REGULATED COMMODITIES AT AHMADNAGAR MARKET FROM 1966-67 TO 1968-69.

Jamkhed: The Agricultural Produce Market Committee at Jamkhed was established on 28th July 1960 but its actual functioning started from 31st March 1967. This market is conveniently located in regard to transport and communications and is connected with Sholapur, Osmanabad and Bhir districts.

The area of operation of the market committee extends over the entire Jamkhed taluka. The market committee is composed of the elected representatives of farmers as well as traders numbering 11.

The important commodities regulated by this market are: jowar, bajri, wheat, gram, tur, mug, math, hulaga, ground-nut, karadi and udid.

Market-fee is levied at the rate of 45 paise per quintal for food-grains and 16 paise per quintal for cotton.

The market committee does not possess godowns of its own. However there are godowns owned by private traders.

There were five general commission agents, twelve traders and eight weighmen in the market in 1969-70.

The market committee runs six centres for monopoly procurement of jowar. The turn-over of jowar at these centres during the years 1968-69 and 1969-70 is given in table No. 31.

The Jamkhed Taluka Sahakari Kharedi Vikri Sangh and its branch at Kharda and the Vividh Karyakari Sahakari Societies at Arangaon, Rajuri, Nandnaj and Jawale are playing key-role in the market.

The turn-over of trade and minimum and maximum prices of all the regulated commodities from 1967-68 to 1969-70 at the market are given in table No. 32.

TABLE No. 31—PROCUREMENT OF JOWAR AT JAMKHED MARKET DURING 1968-69 AND 1969-70

TABLE No. 32—TURN-OVER OF TRADE AND MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM PRICES OF REGULATED COMMODITIES AT JAMKHED MARKET FROM 1967-68 TO 1969-70

(Arrivals in quintals, and Prices in rupees per quintal)

Rahuri: The Rahuri Market Committee was established on 18th March 1950, while the actual working of the market started from 1st September 1953.

Situated in the fertile black alluvial track, Rahuri taluka enjoys the natural advantages of prosperous agriculture. The market has trade-link with the distant market centres in western Maharashtra. It is served by the Daund-Manmad railway line of the Central Railway and is connected with the important market centres on the Central, and South-Central Railway lines. The Rahuri market is also served by the Pune-Manmad state highway which connects the market with Pune, Shrirampur, Kopargaon and Manmad. The rail and road facilities afford an easy access to the principal markets in the State.

The area of operation of the market committee extends over the entire Rahuri taluka. The market committee is composed of 15 representatives of whom thirteen are elected by agriculturists, four by traders and two by local authorities whereas two are Government nominees.

The principal commodities regulated are gur, fruits and cattle. The other important commodities regulated are jowar, bajri, wheat, gram, tur, math, mug, safflower, ground-nut, linseed, sesamum, kulthi, cotton (ginned and unginned), cotton seed, and cattle such as bullocks, cows. she-buffaloes, he-buffaloes, horses, goats and sheep.

The market committee has its own principal market yard at Rahuri and two sub-market yards at Wambori and Songaon. The principal market yard at Rahuri is quite spacious admeasuring about 13 acres and 4 gunthas. It is furnished with all the necessary amenities. Wambori market has also sufficiently spacious yard admeasuring 10 acres and 3 gunthas where the necessary amenities are provided. The market committee spent Rs. 6,308.90 and Rs. 15,886.50 over office building and two auction-sheds, respectively. At Wambori sub-market yard a spacious office building has been built at the cost of Rs. 29,442.45.

The total number of market functionaries at the principal market and the sub-market yards in the year 1968-69 is given below:—

The total arrivals and value of various regulated commodities for a few years from 1964-65 are given below, while the commodity-wise turn-over of trade is given in Table No. 33:—

TABLE No. 33—TURN-OVER OF TRADE OF VARIOUS REGULATED COMMODITIES AT RAHURI MARKET FROM 1964-65 TO 1968-69

(Arrivals in quintals, value in rupees)

The total income of the Rahuri market committee including that from the sub-market yards amounted to Rs. 58,315.12 of which Rs. 32,145 and Rs. 17,439 were from market cess and licence-fee whereas the expenditure during the same year was to the tune of Rs. 53,096 leaving a surplus of Rs. 5,218.25. The market committee received a Government loan of Rs. 1,58,000 for different purposes in 1968. Sufficient banking facilities are  available at Rahuri. The branches of the following banks are situated at Rahuri: —

(1) Ahmadnagar District Central Co-operative Bank,

(2) State Bank of India,

(3) Bank of Maharashtra,

(4) Rahuri People's Co-operative Bank Limited.

Co-operative marketing societies play an important part in purchase and sale of agricultural produce in this market. They are instrumental in safeguarding the interest of the agriculturists. There are 17 cooperative marketing societies doing adat business at the market. All these co-operative societies are licence-holders of the market committee. The co-operative societies at Rahuri are as under:—

(1) Rahuri Taluka Sahakari Kharedi Vikri Sangh Limited,

(2) Rahuri Vividh Karyakari Sahakari Seva Society Limited,

(3) Sakhar Kamgar Sahakari Grahak Bhandar Limited,

(4) Rahuri Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana,

(5) Kanadgaon Vividh Karyakari Seva Society,

(6) Arangaon Vividh Karyakari Seva Society,

(7) Deolali Vividh Karyakari Seva Society,

(8) Guha Vividh Karyakari Seva Society Limited,

(9) Kolhar Vividh Karyakari Seva Society,

(10) Takalimiya Vividh Karyakari Seva Society,

(11) Manjari Vividh Karyakari Seva Society,

(12) Chincholi Vividh Karyakari Seva Society,

(13) Manori Vividh Karyakari Seva Society,

(14) Musalwadi Vividh Karyakari Seva Society,

(15) Vambori Nutan Vividh Karyakari Seva Society,

(16) Satral Group Vividh Karyakari Seva Society,

(17) Dhanore Vividh Karyakari Seva Society.

Rahuri market is also known for the trade in cattle such as buffaloes, cows, bullocks, sheep and goats. The total arrivals and the value of cattle trade at Rahuri market for a period of three years 1964-65, 1966-67 and 1968-69 are given in Table No. 34.

Nevasa: The Agricultural Produce Market Committee at Nevasa was established on 24th April 1957 but the actual functioning of the same was started from 29th March 1968. The prosperity of the agricultural economy around Nevasa which has mainly been due to the availability of irrigation facilities during the last few years has contributed to the development of the market. Though the market is not served by railway it has been directly connected with Shrirampur, Aurangabad and Ahmadnagar. The area of operation of the market committee extends over the entire Nevasa taluka. The market committee is composed of 15 representatives of whom thirteen are elected from agriculturists and traders and two are Government nominees.

TABLE No. 34—TURN-OVER OF CATTLE TRADE AT RAHURI MARKET DURING 1964-65, 1966-67 AND 1968-69

(Arrivals in number and value in rupees)

The market committee has regulated the following commodities:— Jowar, bajri, wheat, gram, gur, safflower, cotton, math, mug, linseed, tur, ground-nut and hawari.

The market committee has a separate market yard admeasuring about 13,000 square feet. A few facilities are provided on the market yard for the convenience of the agriculturists and traders. The market committee proposes to establish sub-markets at Sonai, Ghodegaon, Kukane and Pachegaon. Of these, Ghodegaon market has already started functioning.

The various categories of market functionaries at Nevasa in 1968-69 were as follows:—Adatyas 13; 'A' Class traders 48; 'B' Class traders 49; weighmen 5; and hamals 24.

The income of the market committee in the year 1968-69 amounted to Rs. 25,171.00, of which Rs. 13,447.57 and Rs. 8,510.00 accrued from market and licence fees, respectively. The expenditure during the same year was to the tune of Rs. 15,270.73, leaving a surplus of Rs. 8,900.32.

In the year 1968-69, the total amount of arrivals of various commodities was 14,939 quintals and the value of the same was Rs. 9,39,281. The commodity-wise arrivals and their value are shown in table No. 35.

Shevgaon: Shevgaon is also a big market in the southern region of the district. It was established on 1st June 1955 and the actual working of the market committee started from 1st November 1958. The market has direct trade link with Paithan in Aurangabad district. Besides, the market is connected to Ahmadnagar, Bhir and Nevasa markets. It is not served by railway and the whole merchandise is transported by road.

The area of operation of the market committee extends over the entire Shevgaon taluka. The committee is composed of 15 persons representing seven agriculturists, four traders, one local authority and three Government nominees.

TABLE No. 35—TURNOVER OF TRADE OF VARIOUS REGULATED COMMODITIES AT NEWASA MARKET, 1968-69

Bajri, wheat and cotton are the important commodities regulated by this market committee. The other regulated commodities are jowar, gram, tur, mug, safflower, ground-nut, linseed, rala, math, sesamum, kulthi, gur and cattle.

The market committee has a principal market yard at Shevgaon and sub-market at Bodhegaon. It proposes to start a second sub-market at Balam Takli. The principal market at Shevgaon has a yard admeasuring 16 acres and 12 gunthas where sufficient amenities and market facilities are provided. The market committee is housed in its own building and has built a rest-house for agriculturists and traders.

The trade activities in agricultural produce are handled by the various market agencies such as traders, processors, weighmen, adatyas, hamals, general commission agents and brokers. Their total number at the principal and sub-market in the year 1968-69 is given below:— General commission agents 8; ' A' Class traders 14; ' B ' Class traders 46; ' A' Class Processors 2; ' B' Class processors 1; Assistants to traders 34; Weighmen 5; and hamals 66.

Agricultural produce from Shevgaon taluka as also a major portion of the agricultural produce from Pathardi taluka is brought to Shevgaon because this market assures better prices. The total arrivals and value of the same during the years from 1964-65 to 1968-69 are given below while the turn-over of commodity-wise trade is given in table No. 36:—

TABLE No. 36—TURN-OVER OF TRADE OF REGULATED COMMODITIES AT SHEVGAON MARKET IN 1964-65, 1966-67 AND 1968-69

(Arrivals in quintals and value in rupees)

The total income of the market committee amounted to Rs. 55,719.14 in 1968-69, of which Rs. 27,315.73 and Rs. 9,960 were from market cess and licence-fee, respectively; while the expenditure was to the tune of Rs. 35,583.36, leaving a surplus of Rs. 20,135.28 in the same year. The financial position of the committee for a few preceding years is given below:—

(Amount in rupees)

Sufficient banking facilities are available at the Shevgaon market,, provided by the branches of the following banks:—

(1) Ahmadnagar District Central Co-operative Bank,

(2) Urban Central Co-operative Bank, and

(3) State Bank of India.

Shrigonda: The Agricultural Produce Market Committee at Shrigonda was established in 1960, but its actual working started in 1966. This market is connected with the markets at Karmala, Sholapur, Ahmadnagar, Aurangabad and Baramati.

The area of operation of the market committee extends over Shrigonda and Karjat talukas. Besides the principal market yard at Shrigonda, the market committee has four sub-market yards, one each at Mirajgaon, Kashti, Rashin and Karjat. A separate market committee for Karjat is under consideration. The market committee is composed of 15 elected members, of whom seven are agriculturists, four traders and the rest are representatives of Government and local bodies.

The total number of regulated commodities is 54, while the important amongst them are: cotton, chillis, onion, bajri, kulith, mug, ground-nut, math, wheat, gur, castor seed, sesamum, linseed, udid, maize, rala, tur, gram, safflower and cattle.

Storage facilities available on the market yard are adequate for agricultural produce. There are 29 godowns built by the various agencies such as co-operative societies, traders and purchase and sale unions.

The number of functionaries working in the market yard is given below: —Adatyas 27; weighmen 25; graders 98; hamals 70; and others 20.

The market yard is spacious and provides sufficient amenities to the farmers and traders. The committee has built two rest-houses at Shrigonda and Karjat market yards. Table No. 37 gives the statistics of turn-over of trade at Shrigonda market from 1967-68 to 1969-70.

In the year 1969-70, the income of the market committee amounted to Rs. 42,455.24 and the expenditure to Rs. 33,455.28 keeping a net balance of Rs. 8,999.96. The details about the income, expenditure and profit of the market committee during the period from 1967-68 to l069-70 are given below: —

TABLE No. 37—TURN-OVER OF TRADE OF REGULATED COMMODITIES AT SHRIGONDA MARKET DURING 1967-68, 1968-69 AND 1969-70

(Arrivals in quintals and value in rupees)