Prices of vegetables skyrocket

Vijayawada: As the agitation against State division gained momentum, the prices of vegetables are skyrocketing in the city. Consumers attribute this sudden spurt to the intense demand for a united State coupled with shortage of supplies of vegetables. Onions that are abundantly used in everyday cooking now cost Rs 80 a kg in the retail market. The price is Rs 5 less in the wholesale markets and Rythu Bazaars.

As the farmers have also supported the Samaikyandhra movement, they shut down the Rythu Bazaars except for the one at Patamata. Scarcity for vegetables occurred due to the lack of transportation facilities. Onions, tomatoes and a few more vegetables are imported from Maharashtra and other places. Non-availability of transport vehicles resulted in the shortage of vegetables. The scarcity led to the rise in demand and price.

Onions and green chillies are in great demand. Chillies that were available for Rs 38 in wholesale market earlier are being sold at Rs 100 a kilo. Prices of brinjal, carrot and capsicum have also increased along with beans, bitter guard, lady finger, potato and beetroot. The prices of the leafy vegetables saw a two-fold rise. A bunch of coriander leaves is being sold for Rs 6 while spinach, ‘palakura’ and ‘gongura’ are sold for Rs 4 a cluster. The increasing prices of vegetables are completely out of reach for the common man.

Traders, middlemen loot common man
Ongole: Within two days of the NGOs joining the struggle bringing normal life to a halt, traders and middlemen are trying to make a fast buck by increasing the price of every essential commodity.