[Reader-list] Shiva Sena selling veggies for no-profit

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Eyeing vote gain, Shiv Sena sells veggies at no-profit-no-loss rates

Mon, Aug 3 06:34 AM

After the drubbing it received in the recent Lok Sabha polls, the
Thane unit of the Shiv Sena is now selling vegetables, at almost half
the market rates.

The idea is to turn the tide in its favour in the Assembly elections.
The party hopes to do that by banking on an issue that is hurting
people's pockets — rising veggie prices.

In the Lok Sabha elections, the Sena fared poorly in Thane and lost a
seat to the NCP. Selling vegetables is an attempt by the party to woo
back voters weaned away by Raj Thackeray's MNS. Presence of MNS
candidates in the fray was perceived as one reason why the Sena did
not do well in the general elections in Thane as well as Mumbai, where
it did not win even one seat

The move is also aimed at targeting the state government over the
soaring vegetable prices in the month of Shravan.

Ever since the initiative was inaugurated by Sena executive president
Uddhav Thackeray's wife Rashmi on July 27, the party has been selling
vegetables. Within the municipal limits of Thane city, Shiv Sena is
operating 17 outlets located in, or near, the party offices known as
Shakhas.

"Vegetables are directly procured from farmers in Pune and Nashik and
sold at the cost price. Transportation expenses are borne by Sainiks
who have pooled in money for the scheme," said Eknath Shinde,
legislator and Sena's Thane district chief.

The popularity of the scheme can be gauged from the fact that
vegetable stocks are sold out in a matter of hours. The outlets which
are the first to receive the supply open at 8 am and others start sale
a couple of hours later, and the counters are empty by noon.

Cauliflower, which is averaging about Rs 40-44 per kg in the market,
is being sold at Rs 10-14 per kg, cabbage at Rs 8-12, carrot at Rs 12,
ladyfinger at Rs 20 and capsicum at Rs 20.

All agriculture produce has to be sold to wholesalers through the
Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) but the party is
circumventing the system to keep rates as low as possible.

Shinde explained that they are able to sell at almost half the market
prices as government agencies and middlemen have been bypassed.

When pointed out that as per APMC regulations it is illegal to bring
vegetables directly for sale, Shinde said : "Let the (authorities)
prevent us from supplying affordable vegetables to people."

"The price of vegetables sold by us averages about Rs 12-20 per kg
which is nearly half the market price," said a party worker manning
the sale counters at Tembi Naka.

Shinde said pulses such as red gram (toor dal) and lentil would also
be made available at subsidised rates.

This initiative has been tailormade for the traditional vote-bank of
the Sena, Hindus, particularly people from the Marathi community.

Shravan is a month of abstinence from non-vegetarian food in the Hindu
calendar, and this period always witnesses a peak in the prices of
vegetables. The astronomical hike in the prices of vegetables has been
attributed to the poor rainfall.

http://in.news.yahoo.com/48/20090803/814/tnl-eyeing-vote-gain-shiv-sena-sells-veg.html