New Delhi: Delhi Food and Civil Supplies Minister Imran Hussain on Friday reviewed the retail prices of tomato and onion in the city. Tomato prices in the national Capital had increased from Rs 40-Rs 50 a kg to nearly Rs 90 a kg over the past few days.
According to the government, the retail prices of tomatoes have started showing a downward trend. The supplies of tomato have increased from Himachal Pradesh, it said. "Supplies from southern states have also commenced and tomato supplies from Maharashtra's Nasik are expected to start from mid-August," the government said in a statement. Senior
officers of the department told the minister during a meeting that these supplies will further help reduce retail tomato prices in Delhi.
The retail prices of onions and pulses were also reviewed. Agencies concerned informed that retail prices of these commodities are under check and no abnormal rise in their retail prices is expected in near future. Hussain also directed the agencies to take effective action against hoarding activity. "He directed the food and civil supplies commissioner to convene weekly meetings of stakeholders to ensure that prices of tomatoes, onions, pulses and other commodities are stable and under control," the government statement added.
The increase in tomato prices has caused a ripple effect on other vegetables too. Prices of veggies such as coriander, okra, bottle gourd and onion have seen a significant hike due to the incessant rains in Western Uttar Pradesh, Madhya
Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Maharashtra. These states are the main supplier of vegetables to the national Capital. Coriander alone is being sold for as high as Rs 250 per kg across the city.