Bathinda residents fret over tomato shortage

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, April 17

Following the district administration’s decision of not allowing any truck to enter the region, the supply of vegetables has been hit amid the Covid-19 lockdown.

There is an acute shortage of tomatoes in the district, as it is majorly transported from Gujarat and Delhi. Being an essential vegetable, most residents are facing problems.

In view of the spike in demand of vegetables, the prices have also soared by 30-40 per cent in the last one week. The revised rates of the following vegetables are as follows: tomatoes Rs60 per kg , peas Rs90/kg, bottlegourd (kadu) Rs50/kg, chinese cucumber Rs30/kg and cauliflower at Rs25-30/kg.

The rising prices of vegetables have started impacting consumers’ kitchen budget during the ongoing lockdown period.

Balkar Singh, secretary, market committee, said: “The district administration has refused to allow entry to trucks from other states, due to which there is a shortage of vegetables’ supply in the city. We are trying to find some solution and the problem would be resolved soon.”

He said: “We have requested the Deputy Commissioner to allow vehicles carrying essential vegetables in the district.”

It is learnt that DC B Srinivasan held a meeting with the District Mandi Officer where it was decided that trucks carrying essential items would be allowed twice in a week to reach fish market land on the Dabwali road.