The price of seasonal vegetables is also skyrocketing,

Kolkata: The Hemantakal calendar is now entering its third week. Time to grow new vegetables with new rice.

Fresh vegetables are emerging from the fields but the prices of those vegetables are practically skyrocketing in the West Bengal market. In this way, the condition of the common people has become very poor due to the increase in the price of ginger, garlic and onion. Along with that, the prices of daily products like rice and pulses along with seasonal vegetables are increasing.

One kg of good quality onion was available at Rs 25 to 30 per kg even a month ago in the West Bengal market. Somewhere twenty rupees were equivalent. But since the beginning of the month of Kartik, the price of onion has started increasing. Currently 65 to 70 rupees, somewhere the price of onion has touched 80 rupees per kg. Presently the puja season is going on in the state. After that, the wedding season will begin. Many wholesale traders think that if the supply of onion does not increase, it will not take long for the price of onion to reach 100 rupees in the retail market.

Many businessmen are jokingly saying that the onion price in India can hit a century before the cricket ball is dropped in the final at the Modi Stadium. Cricket World Cup Final at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on November 19. Some of the wholesale traders think that onion can reach the century before the third week of November like last time.

According to a source in the Ministry of Agriculture of India, the central government does not want to deal with the price of onion right now. The matter is still left up to the market. According to an official of Krishi Bhawan in West Bengal, it has become a problem every year with onions. Rabi season (March-April crop) onion is almost finished in the market in October-November, while the Kharif crop (monsoon season crop) is still not fully available in the market. There is a gap between supply and demand. That’s when the price goes up.

On the other hand, ginger prices have also increased since the national riots in Manipur, India. Incidentally, just as West Bengal depends on Maharashtra for onions, the majority of ginger comes from Manipur. Due to shortage of onion as well as ginger, raw ginger grown in West Bengal is now being sold at Rs 200-350 per kg. Same is the case with garlic. A few months ago, the price of garlic was 80 to 100 rupees. Currently it has increased from 200 to 250 rupees. Tomato Rs 50 kg.

The prices of vegetables like potatoes, potatoes, shrimps, brinjals, pumpkins, peas, beans, carrots and cabbage have increased. 20 to 22 rupees per kg of potatoes. Besides, common fish which fetched Rs 250 per kg a few months ago has now increased to at least Rs 400 per kg. Even rice has to be bought at an increased price by the buyers. According to market sources, one kg of medium quality rice is being sold at Rs 50 to 60 per kg. However, one advantage in West Bengal in respect of rice is the rationing system. Common people get 2 kg of rice free per capita per month. In addition, low-income Indians get twice as much. But the flour which used to fetch 25 to 26 rupees is now 40 to 50 rupees. Prices of almost all food items including mung dal, lentils, sugar have increased.

According to the consumers, due to the accumulation of water in the fields during the monsoon season, the crops rot. Due to which the price of vegetables in West Bengal increases slightly during monsoon. After that, the prices of vegetables come down with the beginning of autumn i.e. in Ashwin, but this year, after the end of autumn and the third week of Kartika month of Hemantkal, the prices are far from falling, the prices are increasing. But in this situation, the task force of the West Bengal government is sitting as a silent spectator.

According to the retail vegetable sellers of Kolkata, the price of vegetables is not decreasing as the price of anajpati is increasing in the wholesale market. On the other hand, the farmers said that the price they are selling the crop in the wholesale market is almost double the price in the retail market. Allegedly, the black market is rampant due to the indifference of the employees of the government departmental offices. According to Prabhas Mondal, Assistant Officer of Horticulture Department of Murshidabad District, enough vegetables are currently coming to the market from the field. But, he refused to comment on the price hike issue. Although he is silent, the prices of daily food items including vegetables are constantly increasing in West Bengal. And because of that, the common people of West Bengal are forced to spend their days in deplorable conditions.

Bangladesh Time: 1400 hours, 8 November 2023
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