Agartala, September 13: Rising food prices are forcing families in Kalyanpur to tighten their household budgets, with consumers reporting costly vegetables, cooking oil, onion and garlic at the weekly market and raising concerns over the alleged absence of subsidised sugar at fair-price shops.
Consumers said the increase in the prices of everyday necessities was gradually changing the way families shop. Those dependent on daily wages or fixed incomes said they were finding it increasingly difficult to purchase all the items required for their households.
At the Kalyanpur market, onion was being sold for Rs 60-70 per kg and garlic for around Rs 200 per kg. Mustard oil was available at Rs 200-215 per litre.
Vegetables were also commanding high prices. Cauliflower was selling at around Rs 200 per kg, while ridge gourd was priced at Rs 80 per kg. Green chilli was available at Rs 160 per kg, with bitter gourd and brinjal selling at Rs 50 per kg.
Pointed gourd was priced at Rs 40 per kg, while radish was available at Rs 20 a bunch. Sweet pumpkin was selling at Rs 20 a bunch, and individual pieces were also reportedly priced at Rs 20.
The high rates, consumers said, were affecting their ability to buy vegetables and other necessities in adequate quantities. Some shoppers said they were reducing their purchases or removing less-essential items from their shopping lists to keep within their budgets.
The availability of sugar through the public distribution system has emerged as another major concern among consumers.
They alleged that fair-price shops did not receive sugar during August and that supplies had not resumed in September. Consumers said the government ration price of sugar is Rs 32 per kg.
However, sugar was reportedly available in the open market at around Rs 70 per kg. Consumers claimed that they were being compelled to pay the higher price because of the alleged interruption in subsidised supplies and added that open-market rates were fluctuating.
Residents said the increase was being felt across several essential commodities, including rice, pulses, edible oil, onion, garlic, vegetables and sugar. The cumulative impact, they said, was making it harder for families to balance food expenses with other household needs.
Daily wage earners were particularly concerned, as their earnings have not increased in proportion to the cost of essential commodities. Some consumers said they had to compromise on their purchases or return home without buying everything they had planned to purchase.
Middle-income families were also reportedly cutting back on other expenses to absorb the additional cost of food.
Consumers said continued increases in essential commodity prices could further strain households already operating on limited or irregular incomes.
They urged the authorities to take note of the market situation and the alleged disruption in sugar supplies through fair-price shops, especially as the reported open-market price is more than double the government-prescribed rate.
The report did not carry any response from the government or concerned authorities regarding the price situation or the alleged shortage of sugar through the public distribution system.
