New Delhi: Delhi-NCR residents facing high tomato prices over Rs 100 per kg may find relief soon as Maharashtra is expected to send more supplies, according to Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare on Thursday. Khare informed reporters that the government plans to keep selling tomatoes at a subsidised price of Rs 65 per kg in Delhi-NCR and Mumbai through the NCCF.
The increase in prices is due to the interruption in supplies from important southern states Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, caused by the diminishing monsoon rains leading to crop damage and pest infestation. The rise in prices is due to a shortage in supply combined with high demand during the festive season. Khare said that although weekly arrivals have been affected, they anticipate an improvement in supplies from Maharashtra soon, which will assist in stabilizing prices in the national capital. He also mentioned that the government is closely monitoring price fluctuations.
From October 7 till now, NCCF has managed to distribute approximately 10,000 kg of tomatoes at discounted prices in Delhi and Mumbai using mobile vans and outlets. "The retail intervention will persist until we observe a significant effect on prices," Khare remarked, highlighting that comparable actions had successfully managed prices the previous year. This time, the government's involvement in the market has lasted more than a week, showing the seriousness of the price increase and the government's dedication to assisting consumers during the holiday season.
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