‘Non-veg items relatively cheap than vegetables’; consumers fume over sky rocketing prices of vegetables

Earlier it was extreme heatwave and now incessant rainfall. These are the conditions which many traders blame along with lack of local production for the exorbitant price hike of vegetables in different parts of Odisha. The unabated rise in vegetable prices is adversely affecting the daily lives of the common man in the state.

The prices of Tomato per kg varies from Rs 50 to Rs 60, Beans Rs 160 to Rs 180, Brinjal Rs 50 to Rs 80, Lady’s finger Rs 80 to Rs 100 per kg in different markets of Cuttack, Bhubaneswar and other parts of the state.

“How can we buy vegetables as almost every item's price is above Rs 50 and Rs 60. We have to spend Rs 100 for 3 kg potatoes and Rs 120 to 140 for green chilli,” said a consumer in Cuttack.

However, the traders claim that vegetable prices have registered a marginal drop by Rs 5 to Rs 10 compared to the prices in the last couple of days.

“Today I visited the market to buy vegetables. I already purchased vegetables for Rs 500, still my bag was not full. I think it is better to consume non-veg items as their prices have not increased,” said a consumer.

The consumers at Unit 1 market in Bhubaneswar also expressed resentment over the price rise of vegetables.

A consumer said that the vegetable prices are registering a rising trend for the last two years. The consumers are facing problems and the government should intervene and set up cold storages and take action against hoarders. This only can bring a change in such a scenario, he said.

Another consumer said that it is practically hard for a person to buy Pumpkin at Rs 50 and raw Papaya at Rs 50. The consumers, who used to buy little vegetables, are now completely unable to buy vegetables due to such skyrocketing prices.

Kanan Nayak, a retired bank official said, “We are now forced to buy 250 grams of every item as the prices of vegetables are too high.”

Another consumer said, “Though our budget doesn’t permit, we still buy as we have to eat for survival. Even ginger and garlic prices are also too high. We think eating non-veg items is relatively cheaper than vegetarian meal.”

Also Read | No mobile phones allowed on chariots, new SJTA chief warns stern action for indiscipline