Vendors hike prices at their own whims!

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Vegetable vendors were seen doing to a brisk business in Kamrup (M) since Friday as the consumers in the city were in the shopping spree on the eve of the total lockdown. What went out of control in the brisk business are the prices of essential commodities that had no limits. There was none from the authority concerned to bring the situation under control.

Because of the panic buying, vegetables and other commodities were a scarce in the market. Wherever such items were available, people had to buy them paying through the nose.

On Friday potato and onion were sold at their usual proper prices. While potato was sold at Rs 35-40, onion was sold at Rs 40 per kg. Saturday was marked by sudden scarcity of potato and onion. By the evening, the price of potato reached Rs 70-80 per kg. Onion was sold at Rs 80 per kg on that day. Among the vegetables, brinjal was the cheapest. It was sold at Rs 70 per kg. While the prices of tomato ranged from Rs 100-150 per kg, the price of squash was Rs 130 per kg. The lady's finger was sold at Rs 120 per kg, cucumber at Rs 100 kg, bitter guard at Rs 100 per kg, gourd at Rs 80-90 per piece, carrot at Rs 120 per kg, yardlong bean (lessera) at Rs 120 per kg, French bean at Rs 130 per kg, etc.

Both fish and meat sellers raised the prices on their own. Dressed chicken that is sold at Rs 240 per kg at the outlet of animal husbandry at Panjabari was sold at Rs 320-400 per kg at various markets in the city. Mutton was also sold at Rs 800 per kg against the usual Rs 600 per kg at some places.

What's even more surprising during these two days is that there was none from the administration to check the rise in prices of commodities.  

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