- विज्ञापन -
Vegetable prices have surged in the retail markets of West Bengal, particularly in Kolkata, just ahead of the Kali Puja and Diwali celebrations. It is feared that these prices will increase even more next week due to two main factors: a rise in demand during the festive season and concerns over reduced agricultural production from fields affected by heavy rains linked to cyclone Dana.
In Kolkata’s retail markets, beans are currently the most expensive, priced at Rs 200 per kilogram. Green chilies, a staple in Bengali cuisine, are selling for Rs 150 per kilogram, while tomatoes are priced at Rs 100 per kilogram. Other commonly used vegetables are also seeing high prices; lady’s finger is at Rs 60 per kilogram, and bitter gourd costs Rs 90 per kilogram.
Middle-class families are particularly feeling the financial strain from the cost of potatoes, which range from Rs 35 to Rs 40 per kilogram, and cauliflowers which are also priced between Rs 35 and Rs 40 each. For those who enjoy salads, carrot prices stand at Rs 50 per kilogram, while cucumbers are priced at Rs 80 per kilogram.
A member of the West Bengal government’s task force set up to monitor essential food item prices indicated that these elevated vegetable prices are likely to persist until the supply chain stabilizes. They also noted that hoarders often exploit such situations to inflate prices further, but emphasized that they are closely monitoring the situation as per Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s directives.
