Not just tomatoes, prices of other veggies are rising in many states
The recent surge in vegetable prices, including tomatoes, cauliflower, and cabbage, has put a strain on consumers' budgets. Heavy rainfall and supply disruptions are to blame. Congress criticizes the BJP, blaming them for inflation and unemployment.
While the price of tomatoes has been a hot topic of discussion in recent days, the prices of other vegetables are also rising in many states. Other veggies like cauliflower, cabbage, and lady’s finger are also becoming pricier. According to a report by the Times of India, cities like Patna have seen a significant increase in vegetable prices since May.
Cauliflower, cabbage, lady finger, and other veggies experienced significant price hikes. Cauliflower, for instance, has seen its price skyrocket to ₹60 per kg, up from ₹40 per kg in early May. Likewise, the price of cabbage has surged to ₹60 per kg from the previous ₹30-40 per kg range. Even potatoes and onions have witnessed a slight rise, with prices increasing from ₹20 per kg in early May to ₹30 per kg in July. This alarming upward trend in vegetable prices has put a strain on the budgets of consumers across the country.
The recent surge in vegetable prices can be primarily attributed to the disruption in supply caused by heavy rainfall in the producing regions. This adverse weather condition has hampered the growth and transportation of vegetables, leading to a scarcity in the market and subsequent price hikes.
Amidst the crisis, the political blame game has also begun. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said people will not buy into the “hollow slogans” of the BJP and will wipe it out of power this time. “Both inflation and unemployment are increasing continuously due to the loot of the Modi government. But the BJP is engrossed in the greed for power,” Kharge alleged in a tweet in Hindi.
The prices of vegetables are skyrocketing and the unemployment rate in the country has gone up to 8.45%, the unemployment rate in villages is 8.73% and the demand for MGNREGA in villages is at its peak, but there is no work, Kharge said.
This is not the first time we are seeing this price surge. It is commonly observed that during this period, tomato and other vegetable prices tend to remain high. The prices will likely stabilise in the next 15 days and return to normal within a month.
