Hyderabad: While there is no shortage of vegetables in the city’s wholesale markets, despite the lockdown, their retail prices have increased manifold, bringing water to the pockets of customers of all classes.
The Gudimalkapur Sabzi Mandi saw a slight difference of Rs 2-7 in the price of each vegetable during the last 24 hours, but the city’s retailers and small sellers in the colonies are selling vegetables, especially beans, at an exorbitant rate, benefiting big way from lockdown.
The only impressive difference was seen when it comes to buying beans, with a price variation between 10-30 rupees recorded during the last 24 hours.
While 14 quintals of beans reached the minimum price of Rs 40 and maximum of Rs 80 per kg on May 23 in Gudimalkapur market, the next day only four quintals came to the market with a price of Rs 70 (minimum) and Rs 90 (maximum).
Ironically, its retail price has gone up from Rs 130 to Rs 150, with traders simply holding that the commodity is least available in wholesale markets and they have to work hard to get it from far-flung areas.
Tomatoes are being sold in the market by traders and trolley sellers in the colonies at Rs 15-20 per kg, while in the wholesale market it is available at Rs 4-6 per kg.
On May 24, in Gudimalkapur Mandi, where 1,476 quintal tomatoes reached the minimum price of Rs 4 and maximum of Rs 6 per kg, the day before, 1,376 quintal tomatoes were received. The rates were 2 rupees (minimum) and 6 rupees (maximum).
Aparna, Secretary Gudimalkapur Market Yard said, “We are, as always, getting vegetables in the market with a slight change in prices due to the availability of commodities. The market is regularly getting loads of vegetables, which the city retail Feeding the markets as usual. ”
“We received 1,476 quintal tomatoes on May 24, while the previous day had a load of 1,376 quintals of tomatoes. Similarly, 410 quintals of potatoes arrived on May 24, while a load of 842 quintals was recorded on Sundays.
Generally, there is a fluctuation in the arrival of vegetables every day, but large scale vegetables are arriving in the market regularly and there is no significant decline in arrivals. “
Syed Shoukat Ali, a community activist in the city, “We noticed that vegetables are being sold at high prices. Beans are being sold for Rs 150,which is very costly. No proper supervision of the retail prices and by mobile vendors led to this situation, where traders maintain an upper hand, causing the common man to suffer. Food/drug inspectors and officials of the Weights and Measures department have swept public complaints under carpet, leaving people at the mercy of unscrupulous traders.”
