Rajshahi, July (V7N)- In the Banshwar Market of Puthia Upazila, Rajshahi, farmers are reportedly being forced to pay excessive levies when selling their onions and garlic. Due to the silent role of the administration, farmers are being compelled to give an additional one to two kilograms per maund (a traditional unit of mass) as levies, with the market price of garlic at 200 taka per kilogram and onions ranging from 100 to 150 taka per kilogram.
 
Last Saturday (July 7, 2024), Jahangir Alam, the leaseholder of Banshwar Market, issued a directive to reduce the levies to one kilogram per maund, which delighted the farmers and increased the influx of onions and garlic in the market. However, some traders, in collusion with the market authorities, resumed taking two kilograms as levies, causing distress among the farmers.
 
In other markets within the upazila, such as Jholmolia, Mollapara, Syedpur, and Dhopapara, onions and garlic are sold at 41 kilograms per maund, whereas in Banshwar Market, it is 42 kilograms per maund due to the influence of a syndicate.
 
Nazmul Hossain Suman, the leaseholder of Jholmolia Market, said, "I have reduced the levies to one kilogram per maund, considering the interests of both traders and farmers." However, despite the directive, the levies remain unchanged in Banshwar Market, leading to discontent among farmers.
 
Farmers at the market complained that despite announcements to reduce the levies to one kilogram per maund, they are still being forced to pay two kilograms. They expressed their frustration, saying that they are poor farmers with no one to address their grievances.
 
Traders, on the other hand, admitted that they try to maximize their gains by giving extra benefits to the leaseholder. "We aim to take more, and thus, provide extra benefits to the leaseholder," one trader admitted.
 
Jahangir Alam, the leaseholder of Banshwar Market, stated, "Currently, one kilogram per maund is being taken as levies in my market. I have prohibited the practice of taking two kilograms of onions and garlic per maund. If any complaints are raised, we will take immediate action."
 
Puthia Upazila Executive Officer, A. K. M. Nur Hossain Nirjhor, said, "We have not received any complaints of this nature. If any farmer comes forward with a complaint, we will look into the matter immediately."
 
END/MRA/SMA/