Telangana: Congress government sidelines works on integrated markets

Spaces earmarked for the project used for different purposes in a few places

HYDERABAD: In an effort to wipe out the imprint of previous government, the Congress government is sidelining the construction of integrated vegetable and meat markets in the State.

The integrated vegetable and meat markets were planned to facilitate fresh and quality vegetables, fruits, flowers and meat products under one roof. This apart, these markets were also aimed at spurring economic growth in the region.

---

Defeating the very purpose of the project, the Congress government is sidelining the construction of these markets. At a few places, they were now being used for different purposes and at many places there was demand to use the facilities for other purposes.

In Kodangal, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s constituency, the market space has been used for establishing the Hare Krishna Movement Charitable Foundation kitchen for the Nutritional Breakfast scheme for government school children.

At Mancherial, the market paved way for Mother and Child Hospital.

There was a demand from a few elected public representatives to use the space for different purposes other than the market.

The previous government had launched the construction of these markets in an area spread over one acre to two acres with an estimated cost of Rs 2 crore each. Each urban local body was to have on such market.

Accordingly, 133 such markets were approved under GO Ms 65 and already three markets, including Narayanpet, Zaheerabad and Suryapet were opened to public.

At present, works pertaining to 118 markets are under progress and nine have been grounded at different places. Three have been kept pending due to court cases.

In Rangareddy, out of the 16 approved, five are pending and in Medchal Malkajgiri, of the 13 approved, two are pending.

About Rs 219 crore worth bills had to be cleared and about Rs 700 crore was required to complete the ongoing works. Apart from fund crunch, the government had to take a call on whether to construct the markets at the identified places and use them for other purposes as demanded by the elected public representatives, a senior official from MA&UD said.

“Nearly Rs 45 crore have been sanctioned by the government to clear the bills. It is unclear if the contractors will be keen to continue the works,” the official said.