A meeting convened by the Erode City Municipal Corporation on Wednesday (June 3, 2026) to discuss issues concerning the Nethaji Daily Vegetable and Fruit Market ended in a heated argument between traders and lessees, leading to tense scenes at the Corporation office.

The market, which houses more than 700 shops, is currently being operated through a lease arrangement. Traders and lessees were invited for talks before the Corporation Commissioner Arpit Jain following complaints related to the functioning of the market.

During the meeting, traders demanded that the civic body take the market back from the lessees and allot shops directly to vendors. They alleged that lessees were collecting excessive charges from traders on a daily basis and sought the cancellation of the existing lease arrangement.

The discussions turned contentious, resulting in an exchange of words between the two sides. The traders later walked out of the meeting, accusing the lessees of adopting a high-handed approach.

Subsequently, a large number of vegetable and fruit vendors staged a protest on the Corporation premises, raising slogans against the civic body administration and the lessees. They urged the State government to intervene and resolve the issue.

The protest led to a brief commotion at the Corporation office. Officials said efforts were being made to address the concerns raised by the traders.