Grocery price soaring after vegetable and fish prices; government without market intervention; people struggling to make both ends meet

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After the hike in vegetable prices, the prices of grocery have also gone up sharply in the state's general market. If the government does not intervene in the market, the lives of ordinary people will become more miserable.

The price of dal, which was Rs 100 per kg last month, reached Rs 160 today. The black gram price jumped to 140. The price of chickpeas rose to 132. Andhra white (Jaya) rice wholesale price rose from Rs.39 to Rs.42. Retail price is up to 49.

Most of the vegetables cost above Rs 100 per kg. Tomatoes cost 100, beans 120, garlic 300 and Moringa 200. Rs 80 per kg of carrots. Carrots that reach the shops in the morning are sold out by noon.

The increase in prices is due to low rainfall and high temperatures in northern India. The arrival of vegetables from Tamil Nadu also decreased. As the availability of fish decreased due to trawling ban and heavy fishing, the price also increased. The price of sardines is around 300 rupees per kg.

3500 crores due to be paid to Supplyco

• Due including central and state governments- 3500 crore rupees
• 1475 crores to be paid by the state for subsidy-market intervention
• 1079 crores to be paid by the central government for paddy procurement
• To be paid by the state as bonus - 600 crores
• Special allocation to be paid to paddy farmers- 259 crores
• Arrears of rice given for school lunch scheme - 150 crores

Price of garlic crosses 300

• Dal price (per kg)- 160 rupees
• Black gram- 140
• Chickpeas-132.
• Jaya Rice- 42
• Tomato-100
• Beans-120
• Garlic-300
• Moringa-200