Consumers feel the pinch; Soaring prices on essential commodities

GUWAHATI: Onion and potato are sold at Rs 50-55 per kg at various markets in Guwahati. In fact, the prices of all commodities, including various brands of mustard oil, have been hiked. Thus the consumers in the State feel the pinch of high prices more than ever before as the corona pandemic has left most the people cashless.

Since onion and potato have not been included in the list of essential commodities, vegetable traders have been taking it for a ride and selling the two commodities at random prices ranging from Rs 50-55 at their own whims and fancies.

Most of the vegetables are sold at Rs 25-30 per 250 gm at various markets in Guwahati and elsewhere in the State. The prices of mustard oil are also different based on the brands. The rise of mustard oil prices during the pandemic has made the consumers pay through their noses as the edible oil is a compulsory item in every kitchen.

Talking to this reporter, a housewife said, "The kitchen continues to make us spend more than our capacity to pay. There are some commodities which we can't exclude from the daily intake of our children and old people. We've been stuck in a cleft bamboo. We can't pay the skyrocketed prices to buy such must items for our kids and old people, nor can we exclude such items from their diet."

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