May 1, 2020
As most fleet of trucks stand stranded after fresh curbs at Delhi’s entry check posts, mandi and local markets of agri-produce stocks like vegetables and fruits have diminished bringing business down by almost 60 per cent.
From ground reports it is learnt that rates of vegetables, fruits and other household staples have rocketed in Delhi, drilling holes in the pockets of lakhs of citizens.
For example, the costs of ginger, garlic, capsicum, ladies finger and bottle gourd (lauki) have doubled up in many areas of Delhi.
Cause factors: Sealed borders of the states, high freight and transportation charges, scarcity of adequate workers.
Worse scenario is presented by Azadpur Mandi which is Delhi’s largest wholesale hub for these produces, has been largely affected by the virus panic. 11 corona positive cases have been reported from the market forcing many panic-stricken traders and vendors confine themselves at homes. Business is down by at least 60%, said traders who are still operating. Large amount of vegetables comes from Sonipat.
Now with the Delhi-Haryana border sealed, the number of trucks carrying onion and potato has plummeted from 180 to 65, said Rajendra Sharma, general secretary of Potato and Onion Merchants’ Association at Azadpur Mandi. Adil Ahmad Khan, chairman of Azadpur Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee, said, “There was no supply of vegetables from Sonipat. Overall daily supplies have come down from 8,000 tons to 5,000 tons,” he said.
And the situation might get worse. “Many traders like me won’t go to the Mandi until proper sanitization, tracing of positive cases and their contact history and stricter implementation of social distancing were done,” said Mahavir Singh. Mandis such as those in Okhla and Ghazipur are also witnessing a sharp price rise, said traders.
KITCHEN TOPPLES
Shankar, a vegetable seller in Mayur Vihar, said almost all vegetables have become costlier. “Ladies finger, bottle gourd, capsicum and cauliflower are costing Rs. 20 per kg over and above normal market price, same is with ginger and garlic prices have increased by Rs. 50 per kg. And now, the sealing of the border will only add to this hike,” he said. “All green vegetables are costly. Cauliflower, capsicums and bottle gourd — the prices of all basic vegetables have gone up by up to 50 per cent. Now I am not buying as much as I used to. And now if prices go up further, we will have to survive on pulses,” said Sanjeev Kumar, a buyer.
ITS NOT JUST WITH VEGGIES
Other reports also showed how it has become difficult to get grocery and other basic commodities, whatever available is from non-branded company and much costlier, said residents of the area. They informed that they have to pay almost 20% to 30% extra for whatever rice, pulses, flour and edible oil are still available in limited quantities. Firstly, essential food commodities became scarce due to panic-buying and hoarding resulting in triggering of price. Rates again started to rocket up as trucks remain halted at the borders, there are no fresh supplies and workers have already left the workplaces and have headed home.
Lahori Gate Market of Delhi, the biggest wholesale hub for food grains, Naya Bazaar and Sadar Bazaar experienced closure of most shops as they remain stockless. Those open had limited supplies at higher rates. Traders said that since trucks are not in operation and scarcity of workers prevail, the supplies have been arrested and doing business in such situation is not impossible.
Amit Jain, a wholesale shopkeeper in Lahori Gate, said, “Prices of pulses have gone up by Rs. 10 to Rs. 20 per kg. Retailers add a margin of Rs. 20 to Rs. 30 per kg and it results in common people buying at much higher prices,” he said. Jain got his supply of pulses ad food grains from Chennai, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Since lockdown, every order has been cancelled. “We are not getting new supplies. Those who had stored stocks are selling at very high rates. The business has gone zero,” he added sadly.