There seems to be no relief for the common man of our country as the prices of basic commodities such as tomat, onion have gone through the ceiling. Tomato prices have doubled to Rs 80 per kg in the past week, in the National Capital Region.
The prices of essential commodities were already high in southern and western India and are heading north despite a dip in the wholesale and retail inflation.
Belated rain and monsoon have disturbed the supply of all vegetables, especially, tomato and onion which is taking a toll on people’s kitchen budget. Tomato prices were seen at Rs 40 per kg a fortnight ago but in no time at all it has doubled to Rs 80 per kg.
The tomato supply from Maharashtra has dropped because of plant disease, caused by hot weather. Demand from other states has added to the pressure on supply from Maharashtra.
In Delhi, wholesale tomato prices is almost doubled due to rains in Himachal Pradesh. The price of the better-quality tomatoes increased from Rs 30 per kg to Rs 50 per kg in the wholesale market taking the retail prices to Rs 80 per kg.
Meanwhile, the government had previously announced a slew of measures to deal with the price rise. Onion, tomato and potato were put in the essential commodities list, whose stocks could be taken care by the government.