The Hindu : New Delhi News : Retailers make hay as truckers strike

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Aug 25, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Retailers make hay as truckers strike

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, AUG. 24. Even as the truckers' strike entered its fourth day today, consumers here in the Capital started feeling the impact with retail vendors making a killing despite stability of prices in the wholesale markets. The prices of vegetables, fruits and essential commodities have started showing an upward trend throwing the household budgets of the middle and upper middle class families haywire.

Though the Delhi Government assured that the situation was under control and there was no reason to panic, as usual the real culprits were the retail vendors. Lack of proper enforcement on behalf of the government has also added to the price rise.

Another reason for the same is the continued rain in the hills of Himachal Pradesh which has made it impossible for the farmers to harvest the crop. However, wholesale traders maintained that the supply of vegetables and fruits was normal and the retailers were taking advantage of the situation to make a quick buck.

The worst affected have been the vegetable prices which have already started showing an upward trend. What is most astonishing is that there is a huge difference between the wholesale rate and what is prevailing in the retail outlets. For instance, potatoes and onions are the worst affected despite low rates prevailing in the wholesale market. While potato is being sold at Rs. 5 per kg, it is selling between Rs. 9 and Rs. 11 in the retail market. Onion is available at Rs. 5 per kg in the wholesale, while in the retail market it is being sold between Rs. 8 and Rs. 10. The off-season vegetable cauliflower is available between Rs. 15 and Rs. 20 in the wholesale market but is being sold between Rs. 40 and Rs. 55 in the retail market.

Similarly, coriander leaves that are usually given free with purchase of bulk vegetables are selling at Rs. 100 per kg in the retail market. The case of tomato is no different as it is available for Rs. 14 per kg in the wholesale market but has shot up to Rs. 30 in the retail market. The situation is no different for other green vegetables, which are also showing a similar trend.

However, the general secretary of the Shimla Apple Merchants Association at the Fruit and Vegetable Market Azadpur, Girdhari Lal, informed that the arrival of apples and other fruits in Delhi was normal and the prices had been stable for the past four days in the wholesale market. "The truckers' strike has had little impact on the arrival of fruits but the retailers are exploiting the situation. The supply of potatoes from Himachal Pradesh has been normal throughout this period but suddenly the prices have shot up for no reason."

The Development Minister, Raj Kumar Chauhan, said the Government was closely monitoring the situation and warned that it would initiate a crackdown against those who are trying to exploit the situation.

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