Vijayawada: Rythu Bazars, meant to supply quality fruits and vegetables at affordable prices to the people, are failing to serve the purpose. With a majority of the stalls being occupied by middlemen, vegetables are getting diverted to retail outlets and hotels in the city at cheaper prices, making them unavailable for the common people. The vegetables are being sold in bulk to hotels and other retail outlets despite directions from the district collector not to do so due to lack of monitoring by the agricultural marketing officials.
Rythu Bazars, where farmers sell their produce directly to the people at affordable prices, had been set up with an aim to at avoid middlemen and commissions, for the benefit of both farmers and the public. However, the bulk sale of vegetables to select parties is defeating the purpose. In the recent past, rise in the population in the city has led to shortage of vegetables. Lack of agricultural activity in Amaravati region has also had impact on the local market and consumers are burdened shelling out more bucks for the vegetables.
Meanwhile, retail vegetable sellers and caterers, who usually buy vegetables from Kaleswara Rao market and other wholesale markets in the city, are now buying vegetables from rythu bazars at cheaper price, deepening the vegetable crisis.
"The quality of vegetables available at rythu bazar are of poor quality. The vendors are setting aside quality produce for bulk sale and putting the poor quality stock for sale for the general public. When we ask the vendors about the same, they are even abusing us," complained K. Raghavi Sanjana, a homemaker buying vegetables at Swaraj Maidan Rythu Bazar District collector B. Lakshmikantham, who inspected the rythu bazars a week ago, has directed the estate officers and marketing officials not to encourag bulk sale at these places. But his directions are being ignored. "We are following the instructions of the collector and strictly monitoring the sale. We will take stringent action on vendors going for bulk sales," said a senior official of marketing wing.
