The prices of fruits and vegetables have skyrocketed across the metropolis during the last fifteen days of Ramazan and the government has completely failed to stem rising fruits and vegetables prices.
A random market survey revealed that the prices of fruits and vegetables across the metropolis shot up by around Rs 4 per kg to Rs 60 per kg during the last fifteen days of fasting month.
It has been observed that grapes retail price has witnessed an upsurge of Rs 60 per kg to Rs 120, depicting an upward trend of Rs 60 per kg during the under discussed period. While during the said period it has gone up by Rs 90 per kg as it was being sold at Rs 30 per kg before Ramazan. Guava climbed by Rs 10 per kg to Rs 40 per kg, while pomegranate became costlier by Rs 25 per kg to Rs 85 per kg.
Prices of banana has surged by Rs 5 per dozen, which is available at Rs 35 per dozen while the same was being retailed at Rs 30per dozen on first Ramazan. Prior to Ramazan it was being sold in the range of Rs 15 per dozen to Rs 20 per dozen. Along with pulses, sugar, tea, dry fruits, edible oil and rice etc the prices of vegetables have also increased during the last fifteen days.
Despite ample fruits and vegetables' supply in the domestic market, the recent price hike is simply unjustified and done to book hefty and illicit profit. Retail price of garlic up by Rs 40 per kg to Rs 80 per kg, which was available at Rs 40 per kg on first Ramazan in the retail market.
Similarly, ginger, as one of the essential kitchen item, has soared by Rs 20 per kg to Rs 60 per kg. Chili pepper has also recorded an upsurge of Rs 20 per kg and currently being sold at Rs 80 per kg, however, it was available at Rs 60 per kg on first of Ramazan.
Onion prices climbed by at least Rs 5 to Rs 7 per kg since Ramazan has begun. It is now available at Rs 20 and Rs 22 per kg, which was being retailed at Rs 15 and Rs 16 per kg on Ramazan first. While the same commodity was tagged at Rs 15 per kg before the advent of Ramazan. Meanwhile, Pumpkin is now being sold at Rs 20 per kg, has recorded an increase of Rs 5 per kg during the same period. It was previously available at Rs 15 per kg.
Aubergine surged by at least Rs 4 per kg to Rs 20 per kg, which was sold at Rs 16 per kg on first Ramazan. It was available at Rs 15 per kg before Ramazan. Potato - mostly used in fried foods during Ramazan, surged by Rs 4 per kg to Rs 22 per kg, earlier it was tagged at Rs 18 per kg on first of Ramazan. However, price of tomatoes has gone down by at least Rs 5 per kg to Rs 25, which was retailed at Rs 30 per kg on first Ramazan. In some parts of the city, price of tomatoes is still higher by at least Rs 10 per kg and being retailed at Rs 35 per kg.