BANDANA SETHI, OP
Bhubaneswar: The Jay Kisan Haat in Unit III of the City is 34 years old .
Spread over around 20,000 square feet, the market was established in 1992. Its origins date back to around 1990, when 10 to 12 traders began selling their goods near a local UCO Bank branch. Two years later, they were relocated to the present market site.
Over time, more traders and farmers from nearby areas, including Phulnakhara, Balianta, Niali, Lingipur and Uttara, joined the market.
The Jay Kisan Haat Traders’ Association (registration No. 3474149, 191/92) was formed the same year.
The daily market now has around 229 traders, with 48 vending platforms and 29 shop rooms. In addition, 122 traders operate in the open, while 30 vendors deal in non-vegetarian products.
The market offers a wide range of goods, from vegetables and fish to chicken, mutton, toys, mobile phone repair services, medicines, screens and mosquito nets. Vegetable and non-vegetarian vendors operate from 7 am to 1 pm, while other shops remain open from 3 pm to 10 pm.
The market remains closed on the last Thursday of every month. Despite serving a large residential catchment, Jay Kisan Haat continues to face several civic problems.
The BMC has been collecting taxes from traders since taking over the market, but basic amenities remain inadequate.
The civic body collects Rs 250 a month from each vending platform, Rs 750 from every shop room and Rs 200 from each trader operating in the open. However, traders allege that the BMC has failed to construct a public toilet and does not ensure regular garbage clearance.
They have also complained about the lack of maintenance and repairs at the market, alleging that the civic body has paid little attention to its deteriorating infrastructure.
With hundreds of traders and customers relying on the market every day, the lack of basic amenities has raised questions about civic management and the facilities provided in return for the taxes collected.
No toilets, security, drinking water and parking remain major concerns
More than 300 traders operate at Jay Kisan Haat, which attracts thousands of customers every day. However, the market lacks public toilets, while drinking water and parking remain major concerns.
Accumulated garbage also creates unhygienic conditions and foul odours.
Alleging that the BMC has failed to provide basic amenities despite collecting taxes, the traders’ association has constructed a urinal on its own.
Drinking water facilities have been arranged with the help of the Rotary Club, but the provision is largely inadequate.
Parking near the market entrance is another concern. The BMC has not made adequate security arrangements either. The 20 CCTV cameras installed through the association’s initiative have also become defunct.
To address some of these shortcomings, the association collects Rs 50 a month from each trader. The money is spent on cleaning the urinal, clearing garbage and meeting other maintenance expenses.
Market celebrates Ganesh, Lakshmi pujas
The market celebrates Ganesh Puja and Lakshmi Puja with enthusiasm. Ganesh Puja and the immersion procession are marked by elaborate celebrations, including prasad for traders and bhajan programmes.
Lakshmi Puja is also observed with equal fervour. Contributions are collected from traders to organise the festivities, but nobody is compelled to pay.
The association accepts whatever amount traders voluntarily contribute.
Association office-bearers elected every two years
The Jay Kisan Haat Traders’ Association selects its office-bearers every two years. Its general body committee selects the market president, who then nominates the other office-bearers.
Advocate Amar Mohanty is currently serving as the market president.
According to information available, the president and secretary are expected to be elected from next year in accordance with the BMC’s market policy.