Raid in city markets against soaring vegetable prices

Finally, the Sadar sub divisional administration and Food department authorities on Tuesday organized raids across all major markets of Agartala against exorbitant prices of vegetables.

The vegetable prices are on an upswing across the retail markets in Tripura, adding to the woes of a common man as green chilies are being sold at anywhere between Rs 450 to 500 per kg.

During the raids at MG Bazar of Agartala, the authorities noticed many discrepancies and hoarding of essential items and issued notices against two traders, who were taking extra prices from customers.

The team has also warned errant traders, who are creating an artificial crisis of vegetables.

It may be recalled here that after Monsoon hit the state, the vegetable market in Agartala witnessed a significant surge in prices for all green vegetables, with chilies, tomatoes and other summer vegetables being the hardest hit, reaching a staggering price range beyond the purchasing capacity of common people in the customers.

The increase in vegetable prices is attributed to crop damage caused by the incessant rainfall across the state over fortnight and flood like situation in neighbouring Assam state, which has a reason for less availability of seasonal vegetables in markets.

Other vegetables have also witnessed price hikes during a couple of months, specially Ginger now selling at Rs. 250 per kilogram in Agartala.

Sources said that Tripura and Mizoram are producing good quantities of Ginger, but large quantities of exporting into Bangladesh has severely affected the local market and as per daily recruitment, availability is very less in all vegetable markets including in subdivisional markets.

Consumers said that the soaring vegetable prices have affected their kitchen budget and they are now compelled to adjust their purchases.

On the other hand, vendors expressed that they are forced to procure vegetables from the main market at inflated rates, subsequently reselling them with a margin of Rs 10 to 20.

Currently, local tomatoes are scarce in the market due to summer season, and the available supply is being sourced from Meghalaya and Assam, incurring transportation charges that contribute to the soaring tomato prices.

However, the administration to control the high inflation of essential items and hoarding by a section of traders despite adequate stocks across the state had conducted many raids in the markets of Agartala and other parts of the state.