Mumbai/Nagpur: The Maharashtra Rajya Vyapari Kruti Samiti has unanimously decided to temporarily suspend the proposed statewide Non-Cooperation Movement against APMC Market Cess, which was scheduled to commence from October 2, 2026, keeping in view the interests of farmers, the severe drought situation prevailing across Maharashtra, and the forthcoming festive season.
However, the trading community remains firmly committed to its core demand for abolition of APMC Market Cess, and sustained and effective dialogue with the State Government will continue until an appropriate resolution is achieved.
The Maharashtra Rajya Vyapari Kruti Samiti, comprising leading trade organisations including the Chamber of Associations of Maharashtra Industry & Trade (CAMIT), The Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture (MACCIA), Federation of Associations of Maharashtra (FAM), Grain Rice & Oil Merchants Association (GROMA), and Pune Merchants Chamber (PMC), held an online review meeting on September 30, 2026, at 9:30 PM.
The meeting was attended in large numbers by trade leaders, office-bearers and representatives of trade organisations associated with 305 APMC Market Yards across Maharashtra.
During the meeting, representatives from different regions of the State expressed their views and concerns in detail. Traders operating within APMC Market Yards expressed strong resentment against the continued levy of Market Cess. Representatives pointed out that although Market Committees collect substantial revenue through the cess, traders are not provided commensurate roads, water supply, drainage, sanitation, basic infrastructure, facilities and essential services.
At the Statewide Traders’ Conference held in Kolhapur on August 4, 2026, it had been unanimously resolved that if the Market Cess was not abolished by October 2, 2026, traders across Maharashtra would launch a peaceful Non-Cooperation Movement from Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti and would neither collect the Market Cess nor deposit it with the respective Market Committees.
However, after extensively hearing the views and opinions of trade representatives from across Maharashtra at the September 30 online meeting, the prevailing circumstances were reconsidered from a broader social, humanitarian and farmer-centric perspective.
Farmers across the State are already facing severe economic hardship due to the prevailing drought situation. At a time when important festivals such as Navratri, Dussehra and Diwali are approaching, commencement of the proposed Non-Cooperation Movement could affect the movement, arrival, purchase and sale of agricultural produce. Any such disruption could ultimately cause the greatest hardship to farmers and further aggravate their existing difficulties.
Therefore, giving paramount importance to farmers’ interests and with the objective of ensuring that their hardships are not further compounded during this difficult period, the Maharashtra Rajya Vyapari Kruti Samiti unanimously decided to temporarily suspend the proposed Non-Cooperation Movement scheduled to commence from October 2.
The Kruti Samiti clarified that this decision should not be construed as a retreat from the traders’ stand. Rather, it represents a responsible, sensitive and socially conscious decision by the trading community to accord priority to farmers’ interests under the prevailing circumstances.
“Farmers and traders are not competitors; they are mutually complementary pillars of the economy. At a time when farmers are facing a natural crisis, it is the social responsibility of the trading community to ensure that their hardships are not further aggravated. Therefore, the proposed Non-Cooperation Movement from October 2 is being temporarily suspended. This, however, should in no way be interpreted to mean that the trading community has stepped back from its demand for abolition of Market Cess.”
The Maharashtra Rajya Vyapari Kruti Samiti reiterated that its demand for complete abolition of APMC Market Cess remains as firm as ever. Dialogue and sustained follow-up with the State Government, the Marketing Department and concerned authorities will continue with renewed vigour.
The meeting also emphasised that, in view of the changing taxation structure, trading practices and market dynamics, there is a need for a comprehensive review of the APMC system and creation of a modern, transparent, efficient and practical framework that ensures fairness to farmers, traders and consumers alike.
The Kruti Samiti called upon the State Government to take positive note of the restraint, social responsibility and farmer-centric approach demonstrated by the trading community and, without further delay, initiate meaningful discussions with trade representatives to arrive at a permanent, fair and positive resolution of the Market Cess issue.
Dialogue and follow-up with the State Government will continue, while the situation will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. If the expected decision on Market Cess is not forthcoming, trade organisations across Maharashtra will again deliberate collectively and decide the future course of action and strategy of the movement.
“The agitation is temporarily suspended — the demand for abolition of Market Cess remains firm!”
The trading community of Maharashtra will continue to pursue the demand for abolition of Market Cess with unity and determination, while maintaining a balance between the interests of farmers, consumers and trade.
“If the farmer survives, the market survives; if the market survives, trade survives; and if trade remains strong, Maharashtra’s economy remains strong.”
— Maharashtra Rajya Vyapari Kruti Samiti
