**Bhubaneswar**: The recent surge in the price of vegetables has led to a pinch the pockets of common man after unseasonal rains compounded with the holy month of Kartik. As the Odia households shun the non-vegetarian food in the holy month of Kartik, these skyrocketing prices of vegetables have caused fire in the kitchen.
The normal vegetables seem to be out of reach for the common man as the prices of the vegetables have soared almost cent percent in the city.
A kg of tomato which was available for Rs 40 per kg has now touched Rs 80. Similarly, a kg of capsicum is priced at Rs 150, carrots at Rs 100, brinjal is Rs 80, lady finger at Rs 70, etc. Not a single vegetable is priced below Rs 50. It has literally doubled over the last few days causing much grief in every kitchen.
“The price of every vegetable has almost doubled. We have cut down on the quantity and variety of the vegetables. A bunch of coriander leaves which cost Rs 10 earlier is now Rs 40. Coughing out Rs 500 for vegetable-shopping is also not enough for a family now. It is becoming a serious concern for all of us,” according to a Pooja, a housewife.
Vegetable vendors accord the whole cause to the unseasonal rains.
“Though the prices used to be higher in Kartik month, it was never double. The rains have spoiled the whole thing. Now, people buy very less vegetables even in this holy month due to the high prices,” informed Sarat, a vegetable vendor.
Talking over the soaring prices of the vegetables in the capital city,Surya Narayan Patro, Minister, FS&CW, Odisha said, “Vegetable is not a controlled commodity. There is no price fixation on it. The price depends entirely on demand and supply of the vegetables. The incessant rains played a spoilsport for a few days but as the rains have stopped now, I think everything will become normal within a few days.”
