The flood that swept across the state in September might well be over, but the impact it left behind is still causing pain to the common man, particularly in the two Upper Assam districts of Tinsukia and Dibrugarh where almost 90 per cent of the population suffered directly or indirectly due to the floods.
One major impact which the common man is encountering these days is a massive price rise in the prices of vegetables. As the summer vegetables gradually vanish from the markets, winter vegetables like cauliflower, cabbages, brinjals, beans, etc., have started arriving in the markets. But, as the customers go to the market they are stumped with exorbitant prices of these vegetables.
The vendors, however, do not give proper explanation when asked the reason behind the sky-rocketing of vegetables prices. A survey carried out by this correspondent in Dibrugarh and Tinsukia revealed that one kg of cauliflower is priced between Rs75 to Rs80, beans Rs100 to Rs120, cabbage Rs40 to Rs60, green chilli Rs130 to Rs150, brinjal Rs55 to Rs70 and so on.
Generally, since the local produce of vegetables take some time to appear in the markets, vegetable suppliers from distant Kharupetia, Nagaon, Lanka, etc., take advantage of the situation and ferry these vegetables earlier.
As there is less rainfall in most parts of Central Assam compared with the Upper Assam districts, which enable the cultivators in Central Assam districts to go for largescale cultivation of winter vegetables in the summer and later summer season itself.
This year since floods created havoc in most parts of the twin districts, the local produce have been badly hit. “The prices have gone up in Kharupetia from where the vegetables are coming. There is no local production, which has added to the price rise,” Ram Prasad, a vendor in New Market here said.
Another vendor in Tinsukia said that the prices had also gone up since transporters had increased fares due to hike in diesel prices. However, sources said that the situation is not as bad as has been painted by the vendors and their explanation for price rise was not entirely true.
“An illegal racket is taking advantage of the festive season and hiking prices of vegetables without any logic. Since the administration is also almost nonfunctional these days due to the puja and subsequent holidays, the illegal racket is taking full advantage of the situation,” the sources added.
“It is really shocking to visit the vegetable market today. Vegetable prices have skyrocketed in such a way that it is almost going beyond the purchasing capacity of the common man. It is quite astonishing that the administration is not taking any steps to check price rise,” said Geeta Buragohain, a resident of Khalihamari area in Dibrugarh town.
One major impact which the common man is encountering these days is a massive price rise in the prices of vegetables. As the summer vegetables gradually vanish from the markets, winter vegetables like cauliflower, cabbages, brinjals, beans, etc., have started arriving in the markets. But, as the customers go to the market they are stumped with exorbitant prices of these vegetables.
The vendors, however, do not give proper explanation when asked the reason behind the sky-rocketing of vegetables prices. A survey carried out by this correspondent in Dibrugarh and Tinsukia revealed that one kg of cauliflower is priced between Rs75 to Rs80, beans Rs100 to Rs120, cabbage Rs40 to Rs60, green chilli Rs130 to Rs150, brinjal Rs55 to Rs70 and so on.
Generally, since the local produce of vegetables take some time to appear in the markets, vegetable suppliers from distant Kharupetia, Nagaon, Lanka, etc., take advantage of the situation and ferry these vegetables earlier.
As there is less rainfall in most parts of Central Assam compared with the Upper Assam districts, which enable the cultivators in Central Assam districts to go for largescale cultivation of winter vegetables in the summer and later summer season itself.
This year since floods created havoc in most parts of the twin districts, the local produce have been badly hit. “The prices have gone up in Kharupetia from where the vegetables are coming. There is no local production, which has added to the price rise,” Ram Prasad, a vendor in New Market here said.
Another vendor in Tinsukia said that the prices had also gone up since transporters had increased fares due to hike in diesel prices. However, sources said that the situation is not as bad as has been painted by the vendors and their explanation for price rise was not entirely true.
“An illegal racket is taking advantage of the festive season and hiking prices of vegetables without any logic. Since the administration is also almost nonfunctional these days due to the puja and subsequent holidays, the illegal racket is taking full advantage of the situation,” the sources added.
“It is really shocking to visit the vegetable market today. Vegetable prices have skyrocketed in such a way that it is almost going beyond the purchasing capacity of the common man. It is quite astonishing that the administration is not taking any steps to check price rise,” said Geeta Buragohain, a resident of Khalihamari area in Dibrugarh town.
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