Women farmers protest Rythu Bazaar eviction

As many as 50 women farmers, led by Pattana Powra Samskshema Sangham president Reddi Shankara Rao organised an agitation on Thursday, demanding the continuation of the Rythu Bazaar at the old Maharaja hospital premises. The market has been serving consumers over the last 26 years.

Marketing department officials recently issued notices to farmers, asking them to vacate the premises without mentioning the reason for the decision.

Speaking to media, the farmers said that they had been paying ₹4,000 every month as rent to the Marketing department for selling vegetables brought from different places of the district.

Mr. Shankara Rao said that it was unjust for the government to ask farmers to vacate the place without constructing an alternative Rythu Bazaar. He said: “Farmers will give a representation to former Union Minister and newly appointed Goa Governor P. Ashok Gajapathiraju for the continuation of the Rythu Bazaar at the same premises.”