Pottangi: Farmers of Pottangi block are showing no interest in using Hatapadar National Agricultural Market or the regulated market as they have failed to provide adequate facilities to them.
The Centre had started building the regulated market under its Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) at Kunduli Hatapadar in the Pottangi block of Koraput district for storing and selling local as well as imported vegetables March 3, 2017.
Rs 6.40 crore was also sanctioned for the building of the market in an area of five acres of hilly land. Four rest houses were also built for farmers on the market’s premises.
Farmers coming from remote areas to sell their vegetables can stay during the night at the market by paying Rs 100 a night.
But the lack of facilities in the rest houses have kept farmers and sellers away, and they are forced to guard their vegetables on the verandas of the market during chilly nights.
There are 14 godowns in this regulated market and toilets for farmers. The local administration inaugurated the market October 10, 2017 in a hurry, and the walls of the rest houses started collapsing. Cracks can also be seen on the walls.
Regulated Market Committee Secretary Alok Kumar Anugulia said the vehicles in which vegetables were being transported to the market cannot enter it as the market is above road level. However, steps are being taken to construct a road, and once it is built vehicles would be able to enter the market easily.
Similarly, a proposal to construct a Krushak Khawan has also been placed before the government, Anugulia added.
PNN