The Bihar State Women’s Development Corporation (BSWDC) is to launch fully air-conditioned “Fresh Vegetable” outlets in Patna and Nalanda districts. Unlike in the past these outlets would be run exclusively by the women and in the beginning will sell vegetables and fruits.
According to Irina Sinha, the project director of the BSWDC no male member will manage the outlets. Besides, woman vegetable vendors of Patna and Nalanda will be provided technical support to run their outlets. These two districts will also be the collection centres of vegetables.
She hoped that this move will help create a circle of prosperity by bringing rural women into the mainstream and also provide them employment opportunities. Sinha also claimed that this venture would not affect the daily vegetable sellers of these two places.
Reports say that NGOs have been asked to come up with proposals for providing technical support and identify women who will not only sell vegetables but also take care of the entire management. The last date for submitting the proposals by them is June 27, when BSWDC will chalk out the final strategy. Initially, these outlets will be owned by the state women development corporation, but soon a federation of women managing the stores will be formed, which will be given a legal status too and the management will be transferred to them.
The truth is that in 2006 the state government had planned to open Bihar Fresh Vegetable Outlets in Patna on the pattern of Reliance Fresh. But not a single outlet came up. Now it is to be seen whether an outlet by women will succeed or not.
Source: bihartimes.com 23/Jun/2008
