Zee Media Bureau/Vibhuti Jaitly
New Delhi: There seems to be no respite for the common man of our country as the prices of basic commodities such as onion, tomato have gone through the roof. Tomato prices have doubled to Rs 80 per kg in the National Capital Region, in the past week.
The prices of essential commodities are heading north despite a dip in the wholesale and retail inflation. Delayed rain and monsoon have disturbed the supply of all vegetables, especially, onion and tomato which is taking a toll on people's kitchen budget. Tomato prices were seen at Rs 40 per kg a fortnight ago but now it has doubled to Rs 80 per kg.
The supply of tomato from Maharashtra has dipped due to plant disease, caused by hot weather. The rains in Himachal Pradesh last week has also effected the supply from the region.
Wholesale tomato prices in Delhi almost doubled due to rains in Himachal Pradesh. The average tomato price at Azadpur mandi have jumped from Rs 17 per kg to Rs 30 per kg on. The price of the superior quality tomatoes increased from Rs 30 per kg to Rs 50 per kg in the wholesale market taking the retail prices to Rs 80 per kg.
Meanwhile, the government had earlier announced a slew of measures to handle the price rise. Onion, tomato and potato were put in the essential commodities list, whose stocks could be taken care by the government.
