The Maharashtra government's much publicized scheme of selling vegetables at subsidized prices has turned out to be a disappointment.

Eleven stores were launched across Mumbai on Tuesday. But with limited stock and very few stores, most Mumbaikars are forced to continue buying from expensive vegetables from the regular stores.

The stores open only in the afternoon, making it inconvenient for most Mumbaikars. But the demand for cheap vegetables means that the stores run out of stock in two hours. And for those who can make it to the stores in time have to face long queues.

Krishna Juvekar, the manager of Apna Bazaar in Andheri told NDTV, "The supplies do not come in the morning.  And when it arrives it is sold in two hours because it is cheap."

After vegetable prices stated skyrocketing, the government announced that it would sell vegetables and fruits at rates that would be 30 per cent lower than the market price at Apna Bazar outlets.

But with the scheme taking more time than expected to be launched, the prices of vegetables have already started coming down. Another complaint is that with the price being 30 per cent lower than market rates, the quality of vegetables are not too good.
 
The impact of the subsidized vegetable stores can be judged when one speaks to vegetable vendors who do business close to the subsidised vegetable stores. Vendors told NDTV, their business has not been affected at all by these stores.

Tags: Apna Bazar Food subsidy Maharashtra Maharashtra government Mumbai Vegetable subsidy

Source: NDTV