GUWAHATI, July 29 ? Among the commodities the prices and availability of which have been affected by the recent floods, vegetables still have not returned to their pre-flood position. Despite being a part of the staple diet among the people, some vegetables are scarce in the market, while others are selling at high rates.
In the Machkhowa vegetable market ? popular among consumers for its reasonable rates ? potatoes and onions are among the few vegetables the prices of which have come down from a flood-time high. Today, potatoes were selling for Rs 10 per kg, while onions were priced at Rs 12. The reason for this was reported to be the uninterrupted communication lines bringing in these commodities to Guwahati from the areas of their production.
Vegetables from Shillong have entered the market in increasing numbers to fill in the glut of vegetables produced in parts of the State. Nur Zamal, a vegetable seller from Barpeta said that floods to a great extent have damaged vegetables in and around his native place.
?There was a bigger shortage a couple of days back, but the scene now is improving with vehicles starting to come in from different places,? said Nayan Das a vendor from Dharapur. Pointing to some pumpkins, Das said that their prices have come down in the last three days and now they are selling for Rs10 to Rs 12 per kg. A few days back they had touched Rs 20. He added that prices might go down further as communication becomes more reliable.
In the market, tomatoes are being sold at Rs 20 per kg, and papayas priced at Rs 8 per kg. Both prices are marginally higher than their pre-flood status. Cucumber is selling for Rs 10 per kg.
Prices at another market place in Kachari Bazar revealed higher prices for many of these commodities. Carrots, which are available for Rs 20 in Machkhowa, are selling for Rs 24 in Kachari. Lady?s finger, another popular vegetable is priced at Rs 15 per kg, and cabbage at Rs 14 per kg in the market. Potatoes and tomatoes, however, are being sold at prices similar to Machkhowa.
Prafulla Dutta, a vendor in the market said that prices are relatively high because not many vegetables are coming in from places like Kharupetia. ?At present we are bringing vegetables by vehicles from the north bank, because the ferry and boat services are still absent. Other sellers would be able to bring more produce once the ferry and boat services restart,? he added.
Native green leaves, which are normally abundant in both the markets, are also conspicuous by their absence these days. According to the sellers, their availability has been affected after the localities of their production were inundated by floodwater. Dhekia, Pui, and Mesti are some of the few green leaves presently available. Not surprisingly, they are also being sold at high prices.
?The soaring prices show how the floods affect even those who are away from flood-hit areas. I hope the flood disappears, and we could afford to buy the vegetables of our choice soon,? said Urmi Goswami a regular buyer in the Kachari Market.