The prices of essential vegetables like onions and tomatoes have almost doubled.
NEW DELHI: Onion and tomato prices in various parts of the country are soaring and people have to spend as much as Rs 80 and Rs 50 for a kilo of onions and tomatoes respectively.The vegetable vendors said the sales have dropped drastically and have, hence, blamed the lack of supplies and the Goods and Service Tax (GST) for this.
Onion and tomatoes are the necessities for the preparation of any meal, but prices of these vegetables are rising up.Blaming the situation on crop failure due to weather conditions in the source states, vendors are speculating that the surge will continue for the coming 10-15 days.
On Wednesday, Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan expressed his helplessness in controlling the prices of onions.According to the officials, there will some relief for consumers over the coming weeks as the onion prices will come down due increased supply from states other than Maharashtra.
The price hike has hit the wholesale market, which hoteliers mostly depend on. “The prices have almost doubled in the wholesale market as well.Every year onion is sourced from Maharashtra but this time around the supply is not enough due to rainfall during the time of sowing which had heavily damaged the crops.
Onion is currently being sourced from Rajasthan where the supply is not sufficient.The Centre decided to import onions and has already placed an order for 2,000 tonnes. But, as officials said, imported onions come in cold containers and it takes almost a month for them to be brought to a moderate temperature.
