In Kamrup (M), retail prices of onions & potatoes fixed at Rs 30 per kilo

Guwahati: Amid soaring prices of vegetables ahead of the 14-day lockdown in Kamrup (M) district, the district administration has fixed the retail prices of onions and potatoes at Rs 30.

This decision was taken by the Kamrup (M) administration that was chaired by food and civil supplies minister, Phani Bhushan Choudhury. In the meeting, the Kamrup (Metro) administration fixed the wholesale price of potatoes at Rs 24/kg and onion at Rs 23/kg with immediate effect.

According to reports, the officials discussed the price hike of commodities ahead of the lockdown, when multitudes stepped out onto the streets for panic-buying sprees, stocking up on food and essential items.

At the directives of the Government, the representatives, who were present at the meet, assured the administration that the wholesale price for potatoes (Bengal variety) and onions would be set at Rs 24 per kg and Rs 23 per kg, respectively.

MP Jain, the president of Kamrup Chamber Of Commerce requested the retailers to keep the price at Rs. 30 per kilo maximum, at least for the next 10 days. He also extended his cooperation in regards to the distribution of potatoes and onions to retailers in Kamrup (Metro) and Kamrup (Rural) in the above prices at all localities, with the help of officers and area inspectors of the supply department.

Meanwhile, the organization has said that there is ample stock of the vegetables in the city and urged people not to resort to panic buying sprees. Jain also said that the retailers, to ensure that the commodities are being sold at the fixed rates, should take bills from the wholesalers along with their contact details and urged people to report to the Government if anybody sells at prices above the rates that have been fixed by the Government.

Guwahati entered a 14-day lockdown, necessitated by the rapid surge in COVID-19 cases, on Sunday midnight. In the two days that the Government gave people to stock up on essentials -- the prices of common commodities, such as potatoes, reached astoundingly high levels.

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