Bhubaneswar, July 13: Vegetable prices have sky-rocketed in the state hitting the low and medium income people hard. Almost all seasonal greens and vegetables except tomato are selling above Rs 60 per kg in the retail market ahead of holy month shravan.
While traders blame the situation on rain deficit causing damage to crops, the rising prices of seasonal greens and vegetables procured within the state have hit the low and medium income people hard. Almost all vegetables except tomato are selling above Rs 60 per kg in the retail market.
The price of brinjal which was available for Rs 20-23 a kg in local markets is now selling at Rs 60-80. The price of pointed gourd, commonly known as potala, is being sold at Rs 60 and seasonal ridge gourd (janhi) is also selling at Rs 60-80 per kg
Tomato which was available at Rs 20 a kg till two weeks ago has suddenly became costly. There have also been a remarkable change in the prices of beans, capsicum and drumstick. The retail price of beans is Rs 180-220 per kg against the wholesale price of Rs 110-120.
The wholesale price of capsicum has skyrocketed to Rs 75-80 a kg while the retail price is Rs 100-120.
Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra recently took a review of the prices of essential commodities in open markets across the state and asked the department authorities to ensure that consumers are not exploited by traders.
He also visited Unit – I market in Bhubaneswar and Chhatra Bazar in Cuttack to take stock of the ground situation.
