Vegetable price pinch

BALASORE: Prices of vegetables in northern parts of the region have skyrocketed in the last three days. While none is available below Rs. 30 a kg, vegetables like pointed gourd (parbal) and spine gourd (kankada) are priced at Rs. 80 a kg, the highest ever. Traders attribute price rise to short supply of vegetables from vegetable-growing states due to floods. Sources said in rural markets, the price of vegetables is 50 per cent higher than in urban areas. The vegetables that are priced below Rs. 40 in town areas are being sold over Rs. 60 in rural areas. People in rural areas have urged the district administration to initiate action against such traders.The district administration has decided to organise a meeting with traders from both the rural and urban markets to fix a uniform price for the commodities.Sources said prices of green vegetables are at their peak. While lady’s finger is sold at Rs. 30 a kg, beans are priced at Rs. 40. Brinjal is selling at Rs. 30 a kg followed by string beans at Rs. 50, cauliflower Rs. 40 each, green chillies at Rs. 60 and coriander leaves are being sold at Rs. 100 a kg.All these vegetables were between Rs. 20 to 30 a week back. “Now one has to spend at least Rs. 100 a day on vegetables which was earlier within Rs. 50. Though we have reduced the vegetable intake, it still costs us heavily,” said Bijayalaxmi Samal, a housewife.Vendors said locally grown vegetables only meet 10 to 20 per cent of the needs. They depend upon neighbouring states of West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh.   Civil Supplies Officer Narayan Pati said he had sent a proposal to the District Collector to convene a meeting with traders immediately to fix up a rate chart for both urban and rural markets.