Veggie, fruit prices skyrocket in city
LUCKNOW: Two days into lockdown in view of the COVID-19 outbreak and the prices of vegetables and fruits have skyrocketed here in the state capital.
This, despite the government claims that there is enough stock of essential commodities and supply of essential commodities will be made at the doorstep of every residents. Those who are in the know of thing insist that panic buying, beginning of Navratri have led to the situation.
A local vendor in Fatehganj area of Lucknow was selling potatoes for ₹40 per kg, which was available at ₹20 till March 19 before prime minister Narendra Modi appealed to nation for March 22 Janata curfew.
At Narahi market, tomato is being sold for ₹50 per kg, onion ₹50 per kg, lady finger was available for 100/kg, capsicum for ₹120/kg, coriander for 100/kg, beans for 120/kg and Arvi for ₹100 per kg
Due to Navratri, fruit prices also skyrocketed in Lucknow markets. Banana for ₹60 dozen, apple₹140 kg, grapes ₹120 kg, orange ₹65 per kg, said Gaurav, a final year engineering student who went to market early morning on Thursday. “Panic buying triggered by market closures have led to the surge in veggie prices in the town. There has been 20-30% surge in the prices of several vegetables, especially onions and tomatoes,” he said.
Even at grocery stores, branded Aata has gone off the shelves. The local chakki aata packet of 5 kg is priced at ₹160 at a popular Moti Babu shop.
Its owner complained that the district administration has not made available any passes to him, and he had to face difficulties in reaching destination.
Retailers said the supplies are just less than the normal, but the people have been buying in excess. “People are buying 2-3kg onion at a time while it had never happened earlier. It has increased the prices by almost Rs 10-15 per kilo,” said a retailer in Lal kuan area.
Even in old Lucknow, people have resorted to panic buying. “In vegetables, onions, potatoes, tomatoes are in high demand. It has led to a surge in prices especially of these three. Tomato has gone up to ₹60 per kilo,” said a vendor, who goes door to door.
“People are apprehending that markets will be shut next week. Even we are also worried about products going out of stock,” said Deen Dayal, a vegetable seller in Lucknow. However, the district administration, as well as the police, is claiming to have curbed the hoarding of commodities. In Hazratganj, a police team was on road, checking the vegetable prices to check the overpricing.