No takers for Chittoor Rythu Bazar

Chittoor: In order to ensure an opportunity for the small and marginal farmers to sell their vegetables for remunerative prices and to eliminate the middle men, the government has established the Chitoor Rythu Bazar with a cost of Rs 50 lakh in 1985 .

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu inaugurated the Chittoor Rythu Bazar complex in which 580 farmers pertaining to seven mandals Chittoor, Gudipala, Yadamari, Bangarupalyam, Thavanampalli, G D Nellore, Puthalapattu obtained the membership.

There are 83 shops in Chittoor Rythu Bazar for providing shelter to the farmers to sell their vegetables. Initially, there was a good response for the Rythu Bazar, while many of the farmers sold vegetables and earned good money. But due to the negligence of the government in developing it, the Rythu Bazar here has become defunct.

Out of 580 farmers, 520 farmers have left the Rythu Bazar long ago due to various reasons. The farmers have reportedly lost faith on Rythu Bazar due to no encouragement from the higher- ups, it is observed. Most of the shops in Rythu Bazar are still lying vacant.

Speaking to The Hans India, Sheik Akthar , estate officer, Rythu Bazar, admitted that many of the farmers are not interested to avail the Rythu Bazar due to various reasons. The APSRTC has cancelled all the services from the villages to carry the vegetables up to Chittoor Rythu Bazar, hence, many farmers stopped visiting Rythu bazaar due to lack of conveyance.

One horticulture officer post was lying vacant for the past few years in Chittoor Rythu Bazar. Moreover, the demand for the vegetables in Rythu Bazar has come down as a mini-vegetable market was set up at old municipal bus station, he pointed out. He said that the government has issued an order to all the social welfare hostels to purchase the vegetables from Rythu Bazar only, but in vain.