No takers for modern Rythu Bazaar in Mahbubnagar

​Mahbubnagar: There are no takers for the newly constructed Rythu Bazaar in Badepally municipal limits under Jadcherla mandal in Mahbubnagar district. One month elapsed since Health Minister C Laxma Reddy inaugurated the Rythu Bazaar, but the farmers do not seem to be evincing interest in utilising the modern facilities to sell their produce.

Earlier in July 2016, the Health Minister and Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao laid foundation stone for the Rythu Bazar. It was constructed at a cost of Rs. 3.75 crores. The State government released funds for the Rythu Bazaar and ensure that it was completed in just two years. It is intended to help the poor farmers to sell their produce directly to the consumers without the involvement of middlemen. 

At present there are four indoor sheds and two large outdoor platforms in addition to 15 shops with shutters in the Rythu Bazaar. However, despite spending so much money and the State government taking a keen interest to complete it in record time, farmers have failed to utilise the facilities being offered to them. 

The failure to ensure that the farmers take advantage of the facilities is attributed to the lackadaisical approach of the Marketing Department officials in Jadcherla. They have not taken any initiative to motivate the farmers, it is alleged. Apart from it, the failure on the part of the officials to provide proper lighting in the stalls is also said to have led to farmers keeping away from the market. 

 “The Marketing Department officials are not providing lights and fans inside the Rythu Bazaar and moreover the facility is far away from main Bazaar and we face the problem of not getting enough customers. So, we prefer to sell vegetables on roads,” said Masamma, a vegetable vendor from Badameedipally.

Adding to it, the marketing officials have totally failed to motivate the farmers and the vegetable vendors to utilise the new facility. Because of the apathy of the officials and due to lack of supervision by the higher authorities, the Rythu Bazaar is left abandoned causing huge loss to the government.