New Delhi, Apr 17: Hitting hard the common man, prices of fruits and vegetables rose by up to 20 per cent on the fourth day of the truckers' strike, as traders exploited the situation despite adequate arrivals in the wholesale markets. "Daily supplies have increased. Farmers are keen to sell their produce in the current situation. Still, projecting strike as an excuse, retailers are jacking up the prices," chairman, Delhi agriculture produce marketing produce, Chaudhary Mukhtair Singh told a news agency. He said there has been an unprecedented rise in supply of poultry products in the capital to 180 trucks from the usual 70 trucks daily with both producers and wholesalers keen to stock these commodities. Chairman, Azadpur agriculture produce marketing board, Rajendra Sharma said potatoes arrivals by 10 am since midnight was 1,460 tonnes against 837.5 tonnes in the same period yesterday. The increased supplies ensured a maximum wholesale price in the Mandi of Rs three a kg yet consumers were paying more than double at Rs eight a kg.
Onion supplies during the period have fallen to 649.3 tonnes from 870.7 tonnes but wholesale prices are stable at rs five a kg yet the consumer is buying at nearly double the rate at Rs 10 a kg. Gobhi arrivals, mainly in smaller vehicles, rose to 111 tonnes from 39.9 tonnes ensuring a lower wholesale price of Rs nine per kg.
Singh said other than lemon, bananas, mangoes and Anaar other commodities are being transported from national capital territory region at reasonable rates but it is impossible to control the nefarious designs of small time traders. Bureau Report