Govt to check rising vegetable prices

The Delhi government, after consultations with the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC), has decided to get tough to check the skyrocketing prices of tomatoes, onions and other vegetables.

The Delhi government, after consultations with the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC), has decided to get tough to check the skyrocketing prices of tomatoes, onions and other vegetables.

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Delhi’s food supplies minister, Haroon Yusuf, said on Friday that strict action would be taken against retailers found hoarding vegetables and selling them at higher prices later.

“We are concerned over the rising prices and will ensure that Delhiites get the essential vegetables at market prices,” said Haroon Yusuf.

Earlier this month, the supply of vegetables — primarily tomatoes — was hit due to the flash floods in Uttarakhand.

The entire farm produce had been spoilt, shooting up prices in the city. The situation is better now.

“We appeal to the residents to check the prices in newspapers, which we will publish on a daily basis and then buy from their local vendor. The daily prices are also available on the APMC website,” said Rajinder Sharma, chairman, APMC.

Officials said retailers had no right to raise prices citing shortage of supply as a reason. While Delhi’s onion consumption stands at 400 tonnes per day, the daily available stock stands at 2,000 tonnes.

“The same holds true for potatoes too. There is no reason to charge unnecessarily because potatoes are also available for Rs 6 to Rs 18 per kg in the wholesale market,” Sharma added.