Bhopal Haat going to seed due to lack of strategy

In the absence of marketing strategy, basic amenities and an entry of private market players, Bhopal Haat, a marketing place for rural products, has become a happy hunting ground of just the officialdom.

Bhopal Haat was created two years back under a central government scheme with an investment of Rs 3.20 crore to market rural products manufactured by self-help groups (SHGs).

During the last one year, the Haat added no value to the rural products. Zila panchayats are reportedly forcing SHGs from remote areas to travel to Bhopal and display their products.

The SHG members are also forced to bear transportation expenses, lodging and boarding during their week-long stay at Bhopal Haat. Even the manner of paying reimbursement is discriminatory.

During the past two years, zila panchayat officials have made no effort to bring variety in products on display. Almost similar items like dolls, carpets, curtains, rice, pulses, gur (jaggery), herbs, sarees and handmade shoes, bagh and batik print readymade garments remain on display at each trade fair.

An SHG member from Sidhi who attends Bhopal Haat fairs regularly told Business Standard that the cost of loading and unloading of carpets and staying in Bhopal had affected his business. The SHG was compelled to join the Bhopal Haat or else the Zila Panchayat would cancel the membership, he said.

"Each time I have to return home with 50 per cent of the items unsold," the member said. A member of Shri Krishna Swa Sahayata Samooh, an SHG, said travel expenses for the last one year were not paid.

The SHG members display Gajak (a sweet made of sesame seed and sugar and milk), a commodity common at all sweetshops in Bhopal. Further, the committee formed for Bhopal Haat has allowed 25 per cent space to private market players. Thus, buyers skip purchase at SHG stalls.

"We have changed the policy and have allowed private firms to occupy 25 per cent of the space to sell their products. This has been done to meet the expenses on account of power bills and payments to artists invited to entertain visitors," said Amar Singh Ahlawat, chief executive officer of Bhopal Haat.