The Sambalpur Municipality has stepped in to control the skyrocketing prices of vegetables.
The Municipality held a meeting of the vegetable wholesalers last week and asked them to sell vegetables with marginal profit. It was attended by Chairperson of the Municipality Kalpana Sahu, Sadar Sub-Collector Rainu Singh and Executive Officer of the Municipality Annirudha Pradhan.
The wholesalers agreed to the suggestion and assured the officials of keeping the prices at lowest possible level.
Similar step was taken last year when vegetable prices increased exorbitantly owing to various reasons.
At present, pointed gourd is sold at Rs 40 per kg, tomato at Rs 48 a kg, lady’s finger at Rs 40 per kg and brinjal at Rs 28 per kg. Capsicums, drumsticks and cauliflower are the costliest at Rs 100 a kg, Rs 80 per kg and Rs 60 per kg respectively.
Bitter gourd is available at Rs 40 a kg, bottle gourd at Rs 20 a kg, papaya at Rs 24 per kg, carrot at Rs 32 per kg and a piece of cabbage is selling at Rs 28.
Not just vegetables, prices of rice, pulses, oil and spices have also gone up hitting the lower and middle class families hard.
Sources said since vegetables perish easily in rainy season, wholesalers and retailers are charging high prices to make up the loss. Locals said if the local administration intervenes, prices can be brought down.
Vice-Chairman of the Municipality Siddhartha Saha said boards at markets will be fixed to display prices of vegetables for the convenience of consumers.
He added that the Municipality will also keep a tab on the prices and action would be taken against anybody charging higher than fixed price.