Hyderabad, February 24: Taking advantage of the two-day bandh, the black market is thriving with many traders inflating prices of all necessary commodities.
Citing that the stock of different commodities was limited, traders chose to increase prices indiscriminately.
Prices of commodities like rice and tur dal in several parts of the city was Rs 50 and Rs 120 per kg in the last two days.
Vegetable price also hit the roof as all vegetable markets, including Rythu Bazars were shut.
Small vegetable vendors selling using trolleys minted money.
“The traders say they are reselling the products by buying it secretly at higher price. It has been difficult for people looking to buy essentials in the last two days,’’ A Ajay, a private employee said.
The shops being kept either closed for most part of the day or operating secretly, has left customers with no other option but to buy commodities at higher prices.
The vendors are plainly telling, “Chahiye to lo, nahin to nahi. With no other alternative, I bought potato for Rs 40,’’ D Amar, a customer said.
As rolling of stocks into the city has been hit, it will take a few days for prices to settle.
Despite the bandh, liquor was also sold across the city, albeit secretly. Shopkeepers demanded double the actual price and each beer bottle was reportedly sold for nearly Rs 200. Same was the case if one needed to buy cigarettes.
“First a person collected Rs 200 from me and said he would be back in a few minutes. He then came back and handed over the liquor bottle. It was happening in an organised manner,’’ a tourist said.
As all petrol bunks in the city were closed, some persons allegedly sold fuel for Rs 100, for people who needed it.
With the mercury rising every day, people had to quench their thirst by paying more than Rs 20 to buy a water bottle.
–Agencies