Hyderabad: Rythu Bazaar vendors fleecing public

Hyderabad: Though the State Agriculture department fixes prices of vegetables in all 11 Rythu Bazaars across the city (every day), some vendors are violating the norm by charging Rs 5 to Rs 10 extra form original price. From March to December last year a penalty of Rs 16,350 was levied against vendors in Mehdipatnam and Rs 29,000 at Erragadda by the department.

The Hans India team noticed that in some Rythu Bazaars, particularly in areas like Alwal, Kukatpally, Medipatanam and Erragadda the vendors are looting the customers. For instance, the actual price of tomato is Rs 10 a kg, but the vendors are selling at Rs 15, for potato Rs 35 is charged, when it is Rs 31, and for carrots, when it is Rs 25 on the board, it is being sold at Rs 35.

As per the estate officers of Rythu Bazaars, if any complaint is received from customers, vendors are orally reprimanded the first time. If they continue for the second time the weighing machine is seized. In the case of regular default they are asked to leave.

"As, whenever, we get complaints regarding selling of vegetables at extra prices, concerned supervisor of a Rythu Bazaars takes strict action against the vendors. Around Rs 16,350 penalty was levied against the vendors for this kind of acts," said Vijay Kumar, Estate Officer, Medipatanam Rythu Bazaar.

"In the case of Erragadda Rythu Bazaar we have not received any such complaint in this week. If we receive any complaint we levy plenty. As last month we received many complaints from customers regarding charging extra price, about Rs 29,000 penalty was imposed on the vendors," said Ramesh, Estate Officer, Erragadda Rythu Bazaar.

"Vendors are charging extra amount than what is mentioned on the board; when I asked them why Rs 5 extra is being collected than the original price, a vendor argued with me. I also tried to complain to the official concerned, but he was not available," stated V Srinivas, a customer at Alwal Rythu Bazaar.

"When I visited the Medipatanam Rythu Bazaar, I thought this was a rare instance, but to my surprise almost all vendors are over-charging. Enraged by fact that they were over-charging, I asked one to pull down the rate board that was displayed, saying it was useless" remarked R Anil Verma, a customer.