Mysuru: With less than a month left for this year’s Dasara festival (Oct. 3 to Oct. 12), the Mysuru Dasara Food Mela Vendors Association has urged the State Government to set stall rentals at Rs. 25,000 for vegetarian stalls and Rs. 30,000 for non-vegetarian stalls.

Association President Nagaraju S. Siddaramanahundi, who addressed a press meet at Jaladarshini Guest House in city this morning, highlighted that vendors incurred significant losses during last year’s Food Mela due to high rental charges of Rs. 59,000 (with GST) for veg stalls and Rs. 88,500 (with GST) for non-veg stalls.

Revert to 2019 rentals

“During V. Somanna’s tenure as the District in-Charge Minister, rentals were set at Rs. 25,000 and Rs. 30,000 without GST in 2019. However, despite our requests for a rental reduction last year, neither the Chief Minister, who is from Mysuru, nor the District in-Charge Minister responded positively. With the State Government allocating Rs. 40 crore for this year’s Dasara, we urge the Government and the District Administration to revert to the 2019 rental rates to benefit the vendors,” he said.

The Association has expressed concerns about consolidating all 175 stalls at a single location — Scouts and Guides Grounds —  which they believe would cause chaos and parking issues.

“We request that the Food Mela be held at two locations: 110 stalls at Scouts and Guides Grounds and the remaining 65 at Lalitha Mahal Grounds or Horse Park Ground  near Karanji Lake,” Nagaraju suggested.

He said that since Horse Park belongs to the erstwhile Mysore Royal Family, they would seek assistance from Mysuru-Kodagu MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar for space. It may be mentioned the Circus also pitches its tent at Horse Park during Dasara.

Official dominance, misuse

Nagaraju also alleged misappropriation of funds, stating that officials had not provided proper accounts despite repeated requests. “Officials have ignored our requests, claiming that funds from Food Mela-2023 were used for Yuva Dasara. This year, committee members should be appointed promptly to avoid such issues and prevent undue official dominance during Dasara celebrations,” he added.

The Association has requested the District Administration to appoint one of their members as Vice-President of the Dasara Food Mela and to include them in decision-making meetings. Nagaraju noted the issues faced by vendors from other districts who are pressured to pay commissions to middlemen to secure stalls. “This practice must end this year,” he said.

Association Vice-President Shanthamma, Secretary Kamsale Ravi, members Shivasiddu, Beeresh and Santosh were present at the press meet.