New Delhi: In response to the rising prices of tomatoes, which have soared to over Rs 90 per kilogram in the Delhi-NCR region, the Central government initiated the sale of tomatoes at Rs 65 per kg across 50 locations in Delhi on Monday. This move comes ahead of the festive season when demand typically increases.
Reports suggest that this initiative may soon expand to other cities as well. Over the past month, tomato prices in Delhi and surrounding areas have nearly doubled, largely due to prolonged monsoon rains and high humidity impacting key tomato-producing states, including Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. These adverse weather conditions have also raised concerns regarding the quality of the produce.
Union Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare stated that the government is actively intervening in the retail market to control skyrocketing tomato prices, with expectations of a price reduction within the next three to four days. Despite regular supply to mandis, prices have continued to rise, prompting the Consumer Affairs Department to investigate potential contributions from market intermediaries during this high-demand festive period.
To address the issue, the National Cooperative Consumer Federation (NCCF) is purchasing tomatoes directly from mandis and offering them at a subsidized rate to help lower prices for consumers.
Meanwhile, in Andhra Pradesh, the state government has also taken steps to provide affordable vegetables through Rythu Bazaars. Currently, onions are priced between Rs 55 and Rs 70 per kg, while tomatoes are being sold at Rs 90 per kg. However, in all Rythu Bazaars across the state’s 13 districts, tomatoes will be available at Rs 50 per kg, despite the wholesale market price ranging from Rs 70 to Rs 75. Onion prices will be maintained between Rs 40 and Rs 45 per kg, despite the surge in market rates.
These interventions by both the Central and Andhra Pradesh governments aim to alleviate the financial burden on consumers during the festive season, providing much-needed relief amid rising vegetable prices.
