DK Shivakumar Orders Action Against Child Labour At Yeshwanthpur APMC

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has directed officials to take immediate action against child labour at the Yeshwanthpur APMC market in Bengaluru. He said children should not be employed for work at the agricultural market and instructed the authorities to register cases and make arrests wherever violations are found.

The Chief Minister gave the direction after making a surprise visit to the Yeshwanthpur APMC on Tuesday. During the visit, he spoke with farmers, traders, workers and other people involved in the market before speaking to the media about the issues he observed.

Shivakumar said the practice of employing young children must stop immediately. He said instructions had been given to the Deputy Commissioner and police to take action against those found employing child workers.

The issue of child labour emerged as one of the key concerns during his visit, but the Chief Minister also used the opportunity to review several other problems affecting farmers and traders at the market.

Farmer And Trader Issues Under Review

The Yeshwanthpur APMC is an important link between farmers and traders, with agricultural products arriving from Karnataka as well as different parts of the country. Shivakumar said farmers have generally shown satisfaction with Bengaluru’s market compared with several other markets.

He said products such as onions and potatoes arrive in Bengaluru from markets including Indore and other parts of the country. According to him, agricultural products can differ considerably in quality, taste and storage life depending on where they are sourced.

Some varieties of potatoes from northern India are reportedly sweeter, while others have a more familiar taste. Agricultural products sold through the Bengaluru market are also transported to different parts of the country, including Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Delhi.

During his discussions at the APMC, Shivakumar also gathered information about the commissions paid by farmers and the charges collected by middlemen and traders. He said these matters would be examined to determine whether farmers are receiving a fair deal.

Chief Minister Reviews Market Conditions

Shivakumar said understanding the difficulties faced by farmers is part of his responsibility as the head of the state. He spoke with farmers, traders, middlemen, workers and women working as labourers at the market.

He also inspected basic facilities during his visit, including the toilets and other arrangements available for people working at or visiting the APMC. The Chief Minister said he had breakfast at the market and used the visit to understand conditions on the ground rather than relying only on reports from officials.

He said farmers had shared both suggestions and complaints during the discussions. Their concerns, along with issues raised by traders and workers, would be considered while planning further action.

The Chief Minister also referred to problems reported from APMC markets in other parts of Karnataka, including Vijayapura and Kalaburagi. He said ministers would be asked to visit markets across the state and directly examine complaints raised by farmers and traders.

Trust Plays Important Role In APMC Trade

Shivakumar said agricultural trading at APMC markets often operates on a strong element of trust between farmers, traders and buyers. Produce is also sent from northern states to Bengaluru through established business relationships.

Payments for transactions are frequently made through banking channels such as RTGS, reflecting the organised nature of several large market operations.

At the same time, Shivakumar said the government needs to examine whether everyone involved in the system is being treated fairly. Small roadside vendors also depend on APMC markets for their supplies, purchasing fruits and vegetables before selling them locally with relatively small margins.

According to the Chief Minister, the government wants to ensure that farmers and traders both receive fair treatment while also improving conditions for people working inside the market.

Ministers To Visit APMC Markets

Shivakumar said ministers would be encouraged to visit APMC markets across Karnataka, understand local problems and take steps to resolve complaints. He said appropriate guidance would also be provided to APMC authorities.

The government is expected to examine issues involving commissions, market facilities and the working conditions of people employed at these centres. Shivakumar said he already has a plan for addressing some of the concerns raised by farmers and traders.

He also said the possibility of relocating the market would be examined. Any decision on such a move, he indicated, would need to take into account the interests of farmers, traders and workers.

Parking Issue Also Draws Attention

Parking facilities at the Yeshwanthpur APMC were another issue raised during the interaction with the media. Shivakumar said officials had informed him that no one had submitted an application for the tender issued for managing the parking arrangement.

He said the government would look into the matter and take the necessary steps.

The Chief Minister’s visit comes as the government continues to focus on improving the functioning of agricultural markets and addressing complaints from people who depend on them for their livelihoods.

However, the immediate priority at Yeshwanthpur APMC is the direction concerning child labour. Shivakumar has made it clear that employing children at the market should not continue and that authorities must act against those responsible.

The government will also need to follow up on the wider concerns raised during the visit, including farmer commissions, trader issues, basic facilities, parking and the functioning of APMC markets across Karnataka.