The Hindu : Front Page : PRICES & PEOPLE

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, May 05, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Front Page

Front Page

PRICES & PEOPLE

Dilli Rao

Dilli Rao, driver, Port Blair: “We are a large joint family — I live with my parents, brother and sister-in-law and their children. Though we have two incomes, it still is difficult to run the family. Every month, we have to pay a rent of Rs. 1500 and the provisions are extra. Over the past couple of months we have been spending twice the amount we used to spend on provisions, fruits and vegetables.”

Maria Selvam

Maria Selvam, housewife, Bamboo Flat: “All our earnings go towards paying for food and provisions. Where is the question of paying for our children’s education? Cauliflowers, when available, cost Rs. 60-Rs.80 a piece. Tomatoes and carrots cost more than Rs. 60 a kg. Even fish, which was cheapest, is now selling at much higher prices.”

K. Rethinam

K. Rethinam, small grocery shop owner, Junglighat: “Just in the last week, the price of tomatoes has gone up by Rs. 10. For branded goods, we have to sell at MRP and therefore we have to reduce our margin of profit. As for fruits, the rate here is thrice the price in the mainland. People have started rationing vegetables and even going without fruits.”

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page