BANKING TRADE AND COMMERCE

CHANGES IN PATTERN OF TRADE

Considerable changes have taken place in the pattern, com- position and organisation of trade in Sangli district. These could be attributed to changes in the position of demand and supply of the commodities, improved means of transport, technological advance, easier monetary conditions and growth of banking.

There has been a sizeable increase in the volume of trade. In keeping with this increase, the number of agencies connected with trading activities has also gone up. With the improvement in the means of transport and communications, trade is no longer confined to local areas. Numerous goods are exported to distant places. Imports from distant markets pour in huge quantities. Banking facilities have made finance available to the traders. Banking institutions are to be found in all the towns in the district.

Since the regulation of markets under the Bombay Agricultural Produce Markets Act of 1939, there has been a remarkable change in the organisation of trade. The transactions of sale and purchase of agricultural produce are held under the super vision of the market committees. This has helped in reducing malpractices, and a number of irregularities have been eliminated. Co-operative societies have also emerged as a great force in the marketing of agricultural produce. They compete with the other general commission agents.

Sangli is the seat for the forward market of turmeric trade. This market is of great commercial importance not only in this district but in the entire State.

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