Soon, Balurghat Krishak Bazar to be made functional

The market place for farmers – 'Krishak Bazar' in South Dinajpur district's Balurghat block will soon start operating. The market was set up by the government a few years ago but had to be kept shut for certain reasons.

Now, the district administration has decided to open it as soon as possible to help out farmers. It may be mentioned that local businessmen were not cooperating with the district administration citing the reason that it was far away from the city and there were transportation problems. The farmers were also puzzled with the fact that the problems would not be solved easily. But the district administration took necessary steps to find out solutions after consultation with the farmers. On Tuesday, another meeting will take place among the officers of the district administration, farmers and local traders who sells farm produces. Two years ago, the state government set up that Krishak Bazar at Hazipur, the place barely 3 km from Balurghat city. Special arrangements of banking, security, godown, cold storages and adequate electricity were arranged for the traders and farmers but no wholesalers or retailers took much interest to go there. Balurghat 'Boro Bazar' was the only option for the farmers and traders to do their business despite several requests from the district administration. But now the mentality of farmers and traders has changed as they have agreed to discuss the issue with the officers. They have convinced about the potentiality of the place as well. "We have used the place for buying paddy from the farmers earlier. Now it is used as a garage of bicycles. But we are sure that the situation will change soon," said an officer.

"The district administration is with us and we trust them on the issue. We'll do our business from that newly-built market place," said farmer. Prabir Roy, the Sabhapati of Balurghat Panchayat samity said: "This is the only Krishak Bazaar that is still closed. It will soon open."