Sangli farmer wins locals, irks officials

NAVI MUMBAI: A farmer from Sangli received bouquets and brickbats apart from the money he was trying to earn in the city by selling vegetables at a much cheaper rate than the market price. While the civic officials confronted him for encroaching and blocking traffic, the residents stood firm and forced the personnel to beat a hasty retreat.The farmer, Jagdish Pawar (24), had come to the city from Sangli to sell vegetables at a much cheaper rate than the market price on Thursday morning. He was allegedly harassed by the civic officials of anti-encroachment wing of Belapur ward office when he was selling his produce from his tempo, that was parked outside Mango Garden in CBD Belapur. Officials said that Pawar was obstructing traffic flow by encroaching on public place. But the residents denied the allegation.On reaching the spot, officials started carting away the vegetables from Pawar's tempo to their round-up vehicle. But the locals, who were waiting for their turn to buy the cheaper produce, intervened. They confronted the officials for harassing the farmer. Bowing to public outrage, the officials left the scene in a hurry, only to return with the cops. But by the time, the cops arrived, Pawar's tempo was almost empty. He was driven to the ward office and let off with a warning. "I was taken to the ward office and then to CBD police station and was told not to do business here. But I have done nothing illegal. I was selling my produce at Rs 10 per kg. I pay road tax and have the right to use the roadside as the vendors do," said Pawar.A civic official said, "Pawar was caught during the special drive held by the Belapur ward office's anti-encroachment wing for selling vegetables in a prime market area and disturbing traffic." "I was present and the place was not crowded. Many illegal roadside vendors conduct business here. Is there one rule for the illegal vendors doing business here and another for a farmer selling his own produce at throw-away price?" asked resident Vinay More.Police sources said, "There was no complaint lodged by any of the parties involved."