As a citizen deeply concerned over the plight of the poor, I have visited the stores like Spencer's thrice. The first visit was on August 14, when mandis in Lucknow were on strike to protest entry of the big players in retail. And two more visits subsequently. While 'seeing' the vegetables on display there I noticed that they did not appear as 'fresh' as they were in the local markets. I pondered over this difference and found that the vegetables (and may be fruits) in the local market were 'fresher' because the vegetable vendor: a. Frequenly sprinkled water over the vegetables on display. b. Dyed the vegetables (like parwal, lady fingers and spinach) with non-food colours. c. Applied burnt mobil oil to polish brinjal to give it that extra shine. Those who have seen the vegetables in farms will acknowledge that the vegetable are not that green and shining as they are in local mandis.
Though I am all for the small traders, I am also dead against the spurious methods they use to push off their produce. Moreover, they are often rude and indulge in other malpractices.
In my view, it should have been left to the people to decide where they intended to purchase their vegetables - quality produce from the stores, or spurious produce from the 'friendly' vegetable vendors. That must have set aside all the controversy.
As far as Mayawati is concerned, she is out to demolish everything which is a 'threat' to her or her projects' security, and is law and order problem.
RE:Choice should have been left to people
by sureshbhansali on Aug 23, 2007 10:20 PM Permalink
Very True..Most of the vegetable vendors think only of profits at the expense of peoples health and are very rude and dishonest. However the Reliance is also there to make money and not social justice. However finally it should be left to the consumer and also these small vendors should be trained in customer service, best quality standards , and then they should pool themselves together to fight against any gaint rather than fearing and sulk and die, its far more better to be organised, unite and fight. They also should be brought under agricultral priority sector lending norms so that they can also have access to capital. Then let the consumer decide from whom he has to buy.
RE:Choice should have been left to people
by anand vardhan pathak on Aug 23, 2007 10:20 PM Permalink
Excellent discreption.I wish some one bring a strict law on food contamination as an attempt to murder.Then and then only these practices will be checked.Our trader community from a road side vendor to the Reliance are all guilty of non principled and unethical trading.How much do you want to earn by cheating.Which one will walk away with their money after death.Why can we not have a sense of contentment and try to earn with in legal frame work.But I feel our leaders who are so corrupt need to first correct themselves and then take these people into account. Incidentally farm eggs are coloured with spent tea leaves to give them a DESI look. Hope to have a better future for our country.
