HYDERABAD, Sept 4: Wholesale traders of the vegetable and fruit market on Sunday presented their grievances to Latifabad Taluka Nazim Sabir Qaimkhani and pointed out problems being faced by them and consumers on account of poor infrastructure of the market.

They called for putting an end to illegal auctioning of commodities that take place in the wee hours outside the market under patronage of police.

They said that traders possessing licences from the market committee were authorised to do business inside the market.

During the meeting, which was held in the office of the Hyderabad Onion, Potato and Vegetable Commission Agents Group, Altaf Memon, Najmuddin Qureshi, Site TPO Irfan Bhutto and market committee secretary Waris Abbasi were present on the occasion.

The nazim was told that two important roads leading to the market were in dilapidated condition and it caused great difficulties in smooth flow of fruit and vegetable laden vehicles.

The traders said that no one had paid attention to the roads and the sewerage system which posed serious problems and caused monetary losses especially during rains.

Altaf Memon said that the nazim was told about holding of illegal auction of vegetables outside the market by some area people who enjoyed patronage of police.

He said that only authorised fruit and vegetable merchants had the right to do business and such an illegal auction caused losses to them.

He said that the action should be taken in the matter immediately.

He said that the poor sanitary conditions especially on account of rains were also brought to the notice of taluka nazim and he informed that a scheme had been planned for improvement of storm water drain passing through the market and it would prove helpful to overcome the drainage problem.

Mr Memon told officials that encroachments had also become a problem and it should also be handled sternly to which the taluka nazim said that notices would be issued to them otherwise action would be taken against them.

He said that the entry of stray cows had become a major problem as they eat vegetables and fruits lying on the platform and outside shops and no body could check them.

Najmuddin Qureshi said the nazim told to ensure proper cleanliness drive in the market so that pollution-free goods could be sold to consumers because fruits and vegetables were in common use of people and there is chance of diseases if they are sold under unhygienic conditions.

The section officer of traffic was asked to ensure about traffic regulation measures ahead of Ramadan because the number of consumers during the month for bulk purchase of vegetables and fruits always increased.

They said that if traffic was not controlled it would lead to chaotic conditions in Ramadan.

The nazim asked the UC nazim of the area to visit the market regularly and coordinate with the taluka municipal administration regarding the cleanliness drive.

He said that the storm water drain’s scheme would be executed soon to resolve the drainage problem.