Zee Media Bureau
New Delhi: Delhites are once again forced to shell out more money on vegetables as the prices have gone up in the national capital in the last couple of days.
Food prices were high in the first half of 2014, but it cooled thereafter, so much so that food inflation came down to 0.63 percent in November from nearly 9 percent in January.
However owing to bad weather and export demand from Pakistan, vegetable prices in Delhi have spiked above average. The most affected vegetable is tomato, which the retailers are selling between Rs 40 and Rs 50.
Immediately after taking charge in late May, the Centre swung into action and announced several measures to tackle the drought-like-situation and contain price rise in vegetable items including the politically-sensitive onions.
Though in contrast, onion prices in the national capital are currently selling between Rs 30 and Rs 40, depending on its quality.
Vendors also blame cold-wave and foggy weather conditions gripping North India. Owing to bad weather, truck movement in the national capital has also been hit, thereby affecting availability of vegetables and driving up prices.
Seasonal vegetables like beans and cauliflower have already gone through the roof.
Meanwhile, some reports in media say that barring vegetables like tomato, peas and onions, vendors have themselves raised prices, though nothing concrete can be substantiated as yet.
