Jat stir: Veggies costlier, milk supply hit in NCR

New Delhi, February 21

Wholesale prices of vegetables such as potato and cauliflower have gone up in Delhi NCR, while milk supplies have been hit by transport disruption due to Jat quota protests in Haryana.

The oil marketing firms have shut down petrol pumps in five worst-affected towns in Haryana.

Operations at Amul's milk plant in Rohtak remained suspended. It has a capacity of 5 lakh litres per day.

Kwality Ltd said it has stopped milk collection from its chilling centres in Sirsa and Fatehabad.

The milk demand is being met in Delhi-NCR by increased supplies from Uttar Pradesh, while that of vegetables is being fulfilled by neighbouring Rajasthan.

The wholesale prices of potato, cauliflower, carrot and green leafy vegetables has risen by Rs 100 per quintal at Azadpur mandi, Asia's largest wholesale market for fruits and vegetables.

Prices of potatoes and green leafy vegetables have risen by on average Rs 3-4 per kg.

Fuel pumps shut

"Fuel pumps in Rohtak, Bhiwani, Jhajjar, Kaithal and Jind have been shut down because of violence and arson incidents taking place in these areas," an official told PTI today.

There are 2,370 petroleum pumps in Haryana.

Official said unruly mob had even attacked 4-5 fuel pumps in Panipat district and they had even vandalised the property.

"Protesters are targeting fuel pumps run by Haryana Agro and Haryana Tourism," official said, adding that they had even tried to set fuel pumps on fire.

As agitating Jats put up blockades at several places in Haryana, movement of trucks carrying fuel has been badly hit, leading to shortage of petrol and diesel in various parts of the state.

Similarly, the LPG supply has also been hit, he said.

“Truck drivers are scared of taking fuel to destination as they feel their vehicles can be attacked," he added.

Haryana gets LPG from Panipat, Pyala and Gurgaon while petrol and diesel come from Bahadurgarh, Ambala, Panipat and Rewari, official said. — PTI