GUWAHATI: Vegetable prices in Guwahati continue to surge over the weeks, as shoppers are left to dig deep into their pockets.
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This has come as a major blow for the city’s residents after the Durga puja festivities, as they continue to seek resolutions from the government about the increase in price of basic commodities.
Potato was sold for ₹30 per kg last week, but it has risen to ₹35 on October 21. Similarly, brinjal, which was previously sold at ₹60, has become ₹80, and carrot has climbed to ₹120, despite being sold for ₹100 earlier this month.
Sellers have attributed the rise of prices in vegetables to the limited availability of produce from areas within the city. Due to this inconvenience, they have been forced to stock up their produce from wholesale markets, which has left them paying more than their usual rate.
Also, farmers are blaming the recent ban on pesticides due to the decrease in production, as they have been forced to import vegetables from outside Assam, such as Arunachal Pradesh, Bengaluru, and Meghalaya.
Speaking to G Plus, an official from Wholesale Vegetables Market, Pamohi said, "There is no local produce at all. The prices inflate during this season. It'll take another month to get back to normal. As the sector is unorganised, the retailers demand whatever they wish. However, in the Pamohi retail market we don't allow it to charge more than ₹2-4 on the wholesale price."
In a related development, fuel prices have increased as well, as it approaches the ₹100 mark.
Residents of Guwahati waited with bated breath for the increasing prices to subside, as majority of them are unable to buy healthy food at such exorbitant prices.