Wholesale markets across Maharashtra will remain closed from Monday as traders and commission agents in the state called for an indefinite strike. This is to mark their protest against the amendments introduced in the Agricultural Produce Market Committee Act by the Devendra Fadnavis government. These changes will allow farmers to bypass APMC markets and sell their produce directly to wholesalers, reported The Indian Express.

The amendments, which delisted fruits and vegetables from the APMC, are part of the government's initiatives to bring about market reforms in line with the demands made by farmers' organisations in the state. So far, farmers have paid traders a commission for selling their produce, but this commission will now be payable by the end buyer.

While the strike is expected to affect the supply of fruits and vegetables in Maharashtra, the government downplayed it and said they had made provisions to handle the situation. “We have enlisted the help of Farmers’ Producer Companies and will extend all possible help. Division commissioners, collectors and police will do the needful to ensure that backward integration is seamless. If necessary, we will take help from the transport commissioner, too,” said Kishore Toshniwal, who is the director of marketing.