Most of (he rural markets In Netrakona and Mymenslgh districts are in miserable condition.

i Our Netrakona correspondent says: Most village markets in 10 upazilas are in pitiable {condition, causing immense sufferings to people.

• Local people said, lack of proper mainte-pance and negligence by the authorities concerned are the main reasons behind poor bond it ion of markets.

I Most of the markets have been established al local initiatives, but these have not been maintained in proportion with the growing population.

Filth and garbage are piled up here and there which emits bad smell, threatening public health.

Absence of pure drinking water facilities in markets is another problem.

Local people have urged the authorities concerned to take necessary steps in tills regard.

Our Myxnensingh correspondent reports:

Bazaars here are in bad condition due to lack

of proper maintenance by the authorities concerned.

There are 322 bazaars In all 12 upazilas. But must of the bazaars are In bad condition creating serious sufferings to the buyers and sellers.

Large bazaars Including Shambhuganj Bazaar, Aniuakanda Bazaar. Muktagacha Bazaar, Balla Bazaar, Khamarer Bazaar, Mollick Bari Bazaar. Shlvganj Bazaar. ShantiganJ Bazaar. Machhua Bazaar. Bidyaganj Bazaar. Begunbarl Bazaar. zXusthadhar Bazaar. Klshoreganj Bazaar, Phulbaria Bazaar. Ghoshgoan Bazaar and some other kutcha bazaars are in bad shape due to lack of proper maintenance.

The audioritles concerned earn a handsome amount of revenue every year leasing out the bazaars. But It is alleged that development work Is hardly seen in the bazaars. In most bazaars, the sellers continue their business activities under the o|X?n sky braving the sun or rain. Sometimes they use polythene paper to save their goods from rain. But they have to pay tolls regularly. During the rainy

season a vast portion of most of the bazaars go under water stopping business activities. After rain the bazaar area becomes a muddy hampering smooth activity of the buyers.

In most bazaars, lease holders collect more toll violating the rules. Lease holders continue such bad practice without any opposition. In many cases, lease holders are collect toll without giving any receipt to the buyers and sellers.

In the district town, small businessmen of several bazaars supervise by Mymenslngh Municipality staged different agitation programmes including strike, protest procession and press conference protesting the realisation of high tolls by the lease holders recently.

In many bazaars, sellers sit on the roads with their commodities due to shortage of accommodation creating traffic Jam and hampering the activities in the markets. Though the authorities seem reluctant to develop the bazaars, they yet raise toll very off and on. It Is also alleged.