The Centre with the help of the national cooperative consumers' federation and the national agricultural cooperative marketing federation has decided to sell tomatoes at a discounted price in various locations across the country and it began with Delhi-NCR and Lucknow.
Amid the rising prices of tomatoes across the country, the central government has entrusted the national cooperative consumers' federation (NCCF) and the national agricultural cooperative marketing federation (NAFED) for selling tomatoes at a discounted price in various locations through vans. The discounted prices were effective since Friday.
Rohit Kumar Singh, secretary of the department of consumer affairs tweeted saying, “Discounted sale of tomatoes at these locations in Delhi (on Saturday, July 15). Noida locations being finalised. From (July 15), sale to begin at Lucknow and Kanpur with 15 mobile vans each - from 11 am onwards."
Delhi-NCR: Faridabad, Gurugram, Ring Road, Greater Kailash Part 1, Shahin Bagh, South Avenue, North Avenue, Dwarka, Mehrauli, Hauz Khas, Mayapuri, Pitampura, Rohini Sector 20, Mayur Vihar, Patparganj, Timarpur, Trilok Puri, Shalimar Bagh, and Nangloi.
Lucknow: Bhootnath Market, Dandaiya Market, Front of Naveen Mandi Sthal Sitapur Road, Jawahar Bhawan, Terhipuliya, Gole Market, Chowk, Vibhuti Kand Gomti Nagar, Kaiser Bagh, Rajajipurram, and Munsi Pulia.
According to the Department of Consumer Affairs, the current prices of tomatoes have reached an alarming level with the average price being Rs 117 per kg and in major cities like Delhi- Rs 178 per kg, Mumbai- Rs 150 per kg and Chennai- Rs 132 per kg.
Tomato prices normally shoot up during July-August and October-November periods, which are generally lean production months.
Supply disruption caused due to monsoon has led to a sharp rise in the rates.