Cardamom auctions were suspended in the state and Tamil Nadu after the auctioneers objected to the Spices Board’s decision to hike the next bid rate by Rs 5. The auctions have been suspended since September 24 in Puttady (Idukki) and Bodinayakkanur (Tamil Nadu) auction centres, sources said. The hike was supposed to be 50 paise earlier. But the Spices Board made it Rs 5.
The auctioneers want to maintain status quo in the matter. The auctions are usually held in Bodinayakkanur on Monday, Thursday and Saturday while it is held in Puttady on the remaining days.