Guwahati: Amid soaring prices of vegetables, citizens urge Govt to fix rates

Guwahati: Soaring prices of vegetables in Assam is burning a deep hole in the pockets of the common man. The dramatic surge in prices has caused great grief to the people of the metropolitan region, who have urged the government to intervene and slash the prices of these essential commodities.

The Sentinel Digital has discovered that potatoes and onions in Guwahati markets are selling at Rs 50-60 a kilo, up from the earlier rate of Rs 20-35 a kilo respectively. However, these vendors selling these vegetables at exorbitant rates claim that this is in accordance with the prevailing market prices.

Vegetable vendors are saying that they are buying at a higher rate, therefore they are selling at a higher rate. Brinjals are selling at Rs 60 a kilo, carrots at Rs 100 a kilo, cabbage, and cauliflower at Rs 60 and Rs 80 a kilo, respectively.

Meanwhile, the common man is hoping and praying that the government will take the necessary steps to rein in the prices. Several of the shoppers out and about buying greens expressed the same desire -- to see the Govt once again keep a check on the prices.

The government, meanwhile, has been taking steps to ensure that the prices of the goods remain reasonable. Last month, supply department inspectors were tasked with finding out the reason behind the inflated prices.

Meanwhile, the district administration has not ruled out the possibility of lowering the prices of the goods if the rising trend continues.

"During the lockdown period, we fixed the prices of vegetables and gave the vegetables away at discounted rates; at some point, we might have to resort to something similar if things continue in the same vein," Kamrup (Metro) Deputy Commissioner Biswajit Pegu said at a recent presser.

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