GUWAHATI: With the state government's decision to shut down Guwahati for the next 14 days, the city has seen a sudden spike in vegetables prices.
Reportedly, potatoes, which were being sold for Rs 20 per kg until yesterday, are now being sold for as high as Rs 50 per kg in the retail market. Similarly, onions are being sold at Rs 60 per kg as against Rs 25 per kg in the past.
Among the vegetables that have seen the highest increase in prices are beans. In the wholesale market, the price of beans has increased from Rs 70 per kg to Rs 100 per kg. In the retail market, the same has increased from Rs 100 per kg to Rs 160 per kg.
Other vegetables like pointed gourd (parwal) and ridged gourd are being sold at Rs 80 per kg and tomatoes which was sold at Rs. 100 until yesterday are being sold at Rs. 150 as a bargain price.
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It may be mentioned that the price of fish has also skyrocketed in Guwahati with fish markets on the bank of Brahmaputra getting submerged. As the river waters continue to cross its danger level, fishing has reportedly not been possible. In the absence of local fish, the prices of imported fish have soared tremendously.
A resident of Machkhowa area speaking to G Plus said, "Even though the government has given us time to buy essentials but the market is totally dried out."
"We are not getting even refined oil or milk, forget about meat and fish, " he added.
Notably, a certain section of the society has criticized the government’s decision to close all the grocery stores, along with other commercial establishments. This has come as a shock triggering panic buying.
Recently the Centre had amended the Essential Commodities Act in which no restriction can be imposed on the selling price of farm products. Hence the vendors are taking advantage and imposing higher prices.
Speaking to G Plus, an official at Food & Civil Supplies Department said that they have already issued notification to the respective Deputy Commissioners to contain the price rise.
On the other hand, a source at the District Administration said that the lockdown notification has been announced suddenly and the officials are still busy with the COVID-19 and flood situation in Assam and hence they are unable to comment anything on this as of now.
As per the amended essential commodities act all the marketing boards have been dissolved across the country. Secondly, the cultivators have no restrictions in setting the price on all farm products.