Procedures delay opening of state vegetable stalls

The state government failed to execute its grand plan to set up 106 vegetable stalls in the city by Monday to curb prices.

The state government failed to execute its grand plan to set up 106 vegetable stalls in the city by Monday to curb prices. The stalls will now become operational Tuesday,that too only 10.

The plan is to buy vegetables directly from farmers and sell at 30 per cent below the market price. The centres are being set up with the help of NGOs and cooperatives.

The decision was taken by agriculture minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil Thursday after Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan urged him to intervene to contain vegetable prices that have multiplied up to five times.

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An official in the agriculture and animal husbandry department attributed the delay to procedures and promised the remaining 90 centres would be set up in phase 2.

Acquiring land for the centres,finding NGOs and delivering vegetables requires time. We had expected more organisations to come forward, he said .

About 40 organisations have come forward so far and the government is ascertaining their eligibility. Once that is done,they will get vegetables in the next two-three days through the agricultural produce market committee. The vegetables will be sold at no profit no loss.

One centre will come up in Andheri west,while the rest are in Parel,Lalbaug,Dadar,Sion,Chembur,Ghatkopar,Mulund and Thane.

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