Heavy rains, floods in northern India sets vegetable prices soar high

New Delhi, July 11(ANI): The after-effects of heavy rains and floods in northern India are being felt across the country, as prices of vegetables have shot over 25 to 30 per cent.

Owing to incessant rains over the past three days in Haryana and Punjab, crops have been badly affected due to which the wholesale rates of the vegetables have gone up.

"The floods have caused a lot of problem in the transportation and due to rise in prices of crude oil twice, the transporters also raised their fares. That is why the vegetables prices have soared," said Pintu Kumar, a vegetable supplier at New Delhi's Azadnagar market.

"The hike is so much that it is affecting the common man dearly. The public is dreading eating vegetables. They fear the name of vegetables," he added.

The wholesale rate for tomato has gone as high as Rs. 40/kg, while the retail rate in some markets have reached Rs. 60/kg.

"There are no tomatoes in the market. Their supply has ended totally. We are just getting it from Shimla. The other vegetables, which came from other states, the prices of diesel have been hiked, so that is why their supply has stopped," said Meenu bhai, a wholesale vegetable distributor.

"The packet price of the vegetables, which earlier cost 25 to 30 rupees, is now costing 45 to 55 rupees. They are now priced at 15-20 rupees per packet more. So, the farmers are not selling their yields here," he added.

The petroleum price hike has added to the consumers' and distributors' agony as transporters bringing in vegetables from other states, have increased their fares, affecting the cost of the veggies in turn.

"The inflation is so high that we have to think twice before purchasing vegetables. Earlier, we used to keep our refrigerators full of vegetables but now even to buy 250 to 500 grams we have to think so much. The prices of all essential commodities has increased, from auto rickshaw fare to gas prices," said Omna, a housewife in Pune.

In Bangalore, beans that were earlier available at Rs 15/kg a month ago, now cost Rs. 28/ kg, and tomatoes are priced at Rs 22/ kg.

The common man, left with no option, has decreased the purchase of vegetables in order to make ends meet amid the spiraling inflation.

"It's a regular routine that we have to get vegetables. Because it's rising, even though we are affected, we will have to buy though the prices are increasing. The salaries, however, are not increasing but despite the rising prices, we will have to pay and we will have to take because it is a necessity of our life," said Glory, a housewife in Bangalore.

"I feel the prices have to be reduced; it is increasing daily and today it has been raining and the prices have shot up very much," she added. (ANI)