The All Bengal Citizens Forum has raised its voice against the exorbitant prices of vegetables in the urban markets of the district.
The president of the forum, Sailen Parbat, said that from 14 August, without any justification, prices of vegetables have suddenly shot up. Brinjals, which were available at Rs 90 per kg, are now being sold at Rs 125 per kg; bitter gourd, which was sold at Rs 80 per kg, is now Rs 90 per kg; tomatoes have increased from Rs 60 to Rs 90 per kg; chillies, which were available at Rs 100 per kg just four days ago, are now being sold at Rs 150 per kg; cucumbers have risen from Rs 80 to Rs 100 per kg; while sweet potatoes and carrots have jumped from Rs 60 to Rs 100 per kg.
Green grocers are citing a shortage of supply as the main reason behind the hike in prices. However, farmers and vegetable growers have denied this claim, stating that they have been maintaining the usual supply of vegetables from their agricultural fields to the wholesale market. They alleged that some unscrupulous traders are deliberately creating an artificial shortage in urban retail markets to make extra profits.
What is shocking, the forum said, is that the administration remains indifferent towards the abnormal hike in vegetable prices. Till now, the number of Sufal Bangla stalls has not been increased, nor have the Sufal Bangla mobile vans been pressed into service for the benefit of the common people.
“We urge the administration to promptly conduct market inspections and punish those responsible for creating artificial scarcity of vegetables in the retail market for quick gains. We have already submitted our written appeal to the district magistrate,” the forum stated.