Spurt in prices of veggies

Tribune News Service

Patiala, March 23

After a state-wide curfew was imposed today, there was shortage of vegetables and fruits in the city markets.

Vendors were not available in the vegetable market in the morning hours due to low supply of food items from the wholesale sabzi mandi.

Later, the administration relaxed rules and allowed sellers of essential items to sell their items.

However, the commodities were available at higher prices.

The prices of apples touched Rs 200 per kg while the prices of vegetables were increased by a minimum 30 per cent. Much to the annoyance of buyers, the prices of potatoes rose from Rs 20 per kg to Rs 40 per kg, while onions were being sold at Rs 70 per kg. Bananas were being sold at Rs 80.

A vegetable vendor near the vacant vegetable market in the city said: “There is acute shortage of items in the vegetable market. These fruits are also available as I got these day before yesterday.”

An employee of the Municipal Corporation (MC), who was buying bananas from the old vegetable market, said: “Only bananas are available in the market. Vegetables which are required for daily use are not available in the market at all.”

The usual areas where fruits and vegetable hawkers sell their items, including near the city bus stand, near railway crossing 22, at Leela Bhawan Chowk, were found vacant.

Following orders of District Magistrate Kumar Amit, all shops and commercial segments were closed in the city. A state-wide curfew was imposed under Section 144 of the CrPC in the district on Monday afternoon.