On April 3, the director of marketing in the state had amended the Agricultural Produce Markets Committee (APMC) bye laws whereby it sought to collect all marketing expenses from wholesales and traders instead of farmers as had been done earlier. The new order will become effective from May 1. Under the aegis of the Federation of Association of Maharashtra (FAM), a state-wide `vyapari parishad' (traders' convention) was held in Pune on Sunday April 26, wherein the traders took the above decision.

The Parishad had met to "discuss and decide" about the action to be taken in case the government did not issue orders staying the implementation of the orderissued by on April 3, 1998, an FAM statement said. "In order to avoid indefinite bandh, FAM appeals the state government to issue orders in writing staying the implementation of the aforesaid orders issued on April 3," the FAM note said.

Meanwhile, the parishad was attended by over 2,000 representatives from 160 APMCs spread over the state. According to Sangli Chamber of Commerce president Suresh Patil the convention has also decided to organise a new Federation of Traders of Agri Produce Market Yards in Maharashtra, headquartered in Pune. Pune Merchants' Chamber president Rajesh Shah will be the president of the proposed federation. The proposed federation will have six divisional offices in the state. Forwarded by Suresh Patil, the proposal for a new federation was seconded by Meghraj Maniar from Ahmednagar district.