Prices of pulses continued to rule high at up to Rs200 per kg, while two key vegetables — tomato and potato — stayed costly at up to Rs80 and Rs35/kg, despite multi-pronged efforts by authorities to check the rise. While pulses prices have soared due to shortfall of supply by over 7 million tonnes, the production of tomato and potato has also been affected due to drought.
According to Consumer Affairs Ministry data, the maximum price of urad dal was Rs196 per kg and tur Rs166 per kg. Chana dal price also threatened to cross Rs100 per kg and was ruling at Rs95 per kg. Moong and masoor dals were being sold at Rs125 and Rs100 per kg respectively. Among vegetables, prices of tomatoes were as high as Rs80 per kg, while potatoes were being sold up to Rs35 per kg. On tomato prices, Agriculture Secretary Shobhana K Pattanayak said it is a "temporary phenomenon" and rates would cool down soon with the arrival of fresh crops.
"This is a lean season for tomato. The price rise is a temporary phenomenon and it will phase out soon. In Delhi, there is no issue as tomatoes from hilly areas have started arriving," he told PTI. Wholesale prices of tomato, which were ruling as high as Rs60/kg in Azadpur Mandi two days back, on Friday fell by up to Rs20 per kg to Rs40/kg, although retail prices are still ruling at Rs50-80/kg depending on the quality and locality.