No place but road to sell their wares

BANGALORE: Vegetable vendors block the entrance to Murphy Town. The reason: They are compelled to sell vegetables on the road after Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike authorities failed to handover the shops to the vendors.More than 20 small shops were constructed in 2007 to provide a hygienic place for vendors to sell vegetables. It was also an effort to  free the footpaths from encroachments. However, BBMP authorities failed to hand over the shops to the vendors due to petty politics.“These shops were constructed in 2007. It is unfortunate that the BBMP authorities failed to handover these shops even after four years.  They told me that the local corporator and MLA have to take the initiative. I expect them to handover these shops to the vegetable vendors. It will not only generate an additional revenue for the BBMP but also keep the road free for vehicular and pedestrian movement without any problems,” said R Ashok, a resident of Murphy Town.It was said that the then Corporator and BBMP authorities had promised vegetable vendors to allot the shops to them if they vacate the unauthorised petty shops put up on the footpaths. It was alleged that politicians had tried to influence the BBMP authorities to allot shops to their acolytes thus depriving genuine beneficiaries.“They then promised me to allot a shop and told me to vacate my petty shop. I do not know why they are delaying the allotment of the shop. It’ll  help me if the authorities speed up the process, pending for more than four years,” said Jayalakshmi, a vegetable vendor.Many residents of Murphy Town, Lakshmipuram and Saraswathipuram who buy vegetables from these vendors want the authorities to keep the place clean. “BBMP authorities need to look into the unhygienic condition of the place,” said Murugesh, another resident of Lakshmipura.Meanwhile, MLA of C V Raman Nagar Assembly constituency, S Raghu promised to look into the issue. “I will discuss the matter with BBMP and see that vegetable vendors benefit. I will convene a meeting with the local corporator and BBMP authorities in this regard,” he said. The vegetable vendors, who are waiting for the allotment of shops, alleged that the reason for delay is the fight between Congress leaders and BJP leaders to bag maximum number of shops for their supporters.