Poor patronage to Rythu Bazaar after govt’s erratic decision

Chittoor: Rythu Bazaar here is fast losing patronage from the customers due to erratic decision of the government. Another mini vegetable market near Gandhi Statue was set up which is close to Rythu Bazaar.

Customers, who used to visit Rythu Bazaar to purchase vegetables, are now purchasing vegetables at mini vegetable market. Chandrababu Naidu, when he was Chief Minister, had laid foundation to Rythu Bazaar on July 9, 1999 and it was inaugurated by the then Information Minister Dr N Sivaprasad on February 8, 2000.

The government spent Rs 54.25 lakh for the construction of Rythu Bazaar. More than 580 farmers from the mandals of Chittoor, Yadamarri, Bangarupalem, Gudipala, GD Nellore, Thavanampalle and Irala have enrolled as members in Rythu Bazaar.

They were given shops without rent for selling vegetables. Due to chronic drought conditions, several farmers quit the business. Only 45 farmers are actively involved in selling vegetables. Shops are lying vacant as there is no response from farmers.

According to the sources, existing farmers have been purchasing vegetables at wholesale price at municipal market and selling them at Rythu Bazaar for retail price. Even, the APSRTC discontinued limited services from the villages to Rythu Bazaars with no patronage from farmers.

The average turnover of Rythu Bazaar has dropped steeply from Rs 50,000 to Rs 10,000 per day. Speaking to The Hans India here on Wednesday, Parameswaran, Estate Officer of Rythu Bazaar, has admitted that farmers are not interested to take shops for selling vegetables.

He made an appeal to the public to patronise Rythu Bazaar to protect interest of farmers. He stated that the government is taking measures to modernise Rythu Bazaar. “CCTV cameras would be installed soon at Rythu Bazaar,” he added.

Interestingly, the government had failed to appoint regular staff for Rythu Bazaar instead it deputed existing staff from the Agriculture department.