Patna, (Bihar Times): 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.
