Veggie prices soar in city

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 4

Prices of vegetables continue to rise in the city in the wake of farmers’ stir. While the fruit and vegetable market in Sector 26 was closed on Monday, retail vendors sold vegetables at a price much higher than a day before.

Kavita, a resident of Sector 7, said a vendor was charging Rs 3 more for a kg of tomatoes on Monday than the price at which he sold it a day before.

Sunil Kumar, a resident of Sector 10, said as the Sector 26 mandi was closed for holiday, he bought vegetables from a street hawker and was charged much higher prices.

The rates of almost all vegetables have risen by average 30 to 40 per cent after agitating farmers stopped supply of vegetables as part of their nationalwide strike. Tomatoes, which were available at Rs 20 per kg, were sold for Rs 23 to Rs 25 per kg on Monday. The rates of potatoes, lady’s finger, cucumber, peas and bottle guard have also been increased.

Prices jack up in Mohali

Mohali: Prices of vegetables have increased in mandis of Mohali due to the ongoing protest by farmers. Brinjal was being sold for Rs 30 a kg at a local mandi on Monday while it cost Rs 25 last week. The price of bottle gourd too rose from Rs 25 to Rs 30. Onions’ price saw a marginal hike. These were sold for Rs 16 a kg last week and Rs 18 on Monday. The price of radish rose from Rs 20 to Rs 25. A vendor said, “The supply of vegetables has fallen. Since the demand remains the same, rates of vegetables have been increased.” Members of farmer unions too have been visiting vendors asking them not to sell. However, the later argued that they had already bought the stock. TNS