Beeline outside new honey spot

The state government outlet was opened four days back without much fanfare as the election code of conduct is in force. It’s the initiative of the Khadki and Village Industries Commission following demands from Puneites. “After the outlet of the central institute stopped selling honey,citizens have been after us to provide the facility,” said R Surang,the zilla gram udyog officer.

Surang said a variety of honey would be available at the outlet depending on seasonal availability. “We will stock a range of honey including the popular sunflower and jamun ones,” he said. He said the “Honey Spot” in Pune city is the second such centre opened by the Khadki and Village Industries Commission after one in Mahabaleshwar. “We have our processing plant in Mahabaleshwar and also an outlet. Raw honey is made available by farmers in and around Mahabaleshwar,” he said. Vouching for the purity of the honey,Surang said available at the Wakdewadi outlet is devoid of additives and is in its natural form like the one that was available at the CBRI.

The outlet would be run by Vatsayla Swayammrojgar Sanstha,an organisation of unemployed youth who have an 11-month contract. “It will be open from 9.30 am to 7 pm except Sundays when it would be open half day,” said Ganesh Salvi,who is in charge of the outlet. He said the organisation would bring honey bottles directly from Mahabaleshwar. “We have been promised five per cent commission. What is important is that unemployed youth would run the outlet,” he said.

“Out of curiosity,people are stopping by and enquiring whether it is the same honey that was available at the central institute. We expect this spot to be soon popular,” said Sneha Salvi,his wife.

Meanwhile,officials at the CBRI said they were not sure when honey would be available at their outlet.