The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Minister on surprise visit to rythu bazaar

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Tuesday, Jul 08, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Minister on surprise visit to rythu bazaar

Staff Reporter

Shabbir Ali besieged by farmers venting their woes at Erragadda

HYDERABAD: Energy Minister Mohd. Ali Shabbir, was on Monday besieged by farmers pouring out their tales of woe when he went on a surprise visit to the rythu bazaar at Erragadda.

From lack of drinking water to delays in renewal of licences of ‘sanchar’ vehicles, which sell vegetables in residential areas, the Minister was urged to provide basic amenities.

“From dawn to dusk, it is tough to get a glass of drinking water here. There is no water in toilets too and they stink with poor maintenance” complained Narasimha Reddy, a farmer from Toopran mandal.

Dried-up borewell

Reacting to complaints, Erragadda Rythu Bazar Estate Officer K.R. Vijaya Kumar said, a borewell in the bazaar had dried up some months ago and the same was informed to the higher-ups.

Over delays in renewal of licences of ‘sanchar’ vehicles, Hyderabad District Collector Navin Mittal who accompanied the Minister, said action would be taken on the problem.

The Minister also said Rs. 5 lakh would be sanctioned for the purpose, besides improving water facility and taking up other repair works. He said such surprise visits would be conducted regularly and instructed rythu bazaar officials to help farmers conduct their business sans inconvenience.

Exclusive outlets

Farmers also wanted an exclusive, permanent stall for supply of seeds, fertilizers and other commodities at subsidised rates to them at all rythu bazaars. Mr. Shabbir Ali told the farmers that a meeting would be held with Agriculture Minister N. Raghuveera Reddy and officers soon, to study the feasibility of setting up such a stall.

Mr. Vijaya Kumar also informed that extension outlets of Erragadda rythu bazar would be established in Telecom Nagar in Gachibowli within a week.

Four other places, including Tarnaka, Kukatpally IDPL Colony, Malaysia Township and Begumpet R.K. Towers were also identified for such outlets.

These outlets would be a boon to residents as they would offer fresh vegetables in their respective localities with just Re. 1 more than the rates prevailing at rythu bazaars, he added.

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