NEW DELHI: Hinting at appointment of a price monitoring committee to keep a close watch on the prices of essential commodities in various markets of the Capital, Food and Supplies Minister Raj Kumar Chauhan on Thursday claimed that market intervention by the Delhi Government had led to a fall in prices indicating that there had been an artificial hike.

Asserting that a constant watch was being kept on price movements in various "mandis" across the Capital, Mr. Chauhan said the prices of tomatoes had already touched Rs.15 to Rs.20 per kg for the best variety and Rs.5 to Rs.10 for inferior quality. Apart from destruction of the crop in the neighbouring States of Haryana, Rajashtan and Himachal Pradesh, it was artificial shortage created by certain elements that had led to a massive increase in the prices of tomatoes for a few days, he said. However, intervention by the Government and opening of outlets in various parts of the Capital had proved that this hike was speculative in nature and unwarranted.

At the same time, Mr. Chauhan said the decision to sell pulses from 270 Mother Dairy outlets and 70 circles of the Food and Supplies Department, 70 of Kendriya Bhandar, and eight consumer wholesale cooperatives stores in the Capital at a subsidised rate had also led to stabilisation of prices of these commodities.

Stating that Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit had already written to Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar to put an end to forward trading in essential commodities, Mr. Chauhan said the people had got relief only after the authorities stepped in and decided to crack the whip on all those who were indulging in black marketing. "It is the previous National Democratic Alliance Government that is to be blamed for the present situation as it had allowed forward trading in food grains and essential commodities. It is due to the faulty policies of the previous Government that such a situation had arisen,'' he charged.

The Government is selling pulses at Mother Dairy outlets for Rs.40 per kg and in other outlets at Rs.38 per kg for the benefit of consumers.

Stating that arrival of tomatoes was normal in various markets across the city, Mr. Chauhan said he was getting a regular feedback on the crop situation in other States including that of tomatoes, potatoes, onions and other commodities so that alternative arrangements could be made before prices start rising.

He also hinted at setting up a price monitoring committee in future so that a vigil could be kept on the movement of prices of various commodities. The arrivals of tomatoes had reached around 400 tonnes per day in the various wholesale markets of the Capital.

Not only was Delhi's requirement being met but consignments were also being sent to other National Capital Region townships, he added.

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