Ready to buy capsicum at Rs 300/kg in New Gurgaon?
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Ready to buy capsicum at Rs 300/kg in New Gurgaon?

In the wake of an indefinite strike by wholesalers at Khandsa market in Sector 10A, fruits and vegetables have become almost 300 per cent costlier, throwing family budgets out of gear.

Ready to buy capsicum at Rs 300/kg in New Gurgaon?

Much to the distress of consumers, fruits and vegetable prices have shot up in the city since Monday, September 5. This came after an indefinite strike by wholesalers at Khandsa wholesale market in Sector 10A.

As many as 200 trucks bring 300 tonnes of vegetables and fruits to the market, making it one of the biggest in the city. This is the first time the market has been shut down since its inception in 1990.

The prices have gone up by an average of 200 per cent in markets across the city. But in New Gurgaon, the hike is almost 300 per cent.

Prices of tomatoes have gone up by over 200 per cent and that of pumpkins by almost 700 per cent. Cauliflower, which was easily available at Rs 15 per kg, is being sold at Rs 60 a kg this week. Capsicum, too, has become costlier, at Rs 200 a kg, compared to just Rs 50 a week ago.

Samika Sethi, a retailer at Sector 31, said, “We have been bearing the brunt of this price rise. Sales have come down considerably in the past three days. We are being forced to go to the nearby district to get our supplies and having to spend between Rs 1,000 and Rs 1,500 on transport. We have no idea when the strike will be called off.”

Most vegetables sold in Gurgaon come from outside — mainly from the Yamuna belt in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and different parts of Uttarakhand.

Family budgets have gone for a toss and consumers are left with no option but to buy at inflated prices. “The situation has really taken us by surprise, derailing all our monthly plans. Onions and tomatoes are now selling at double the price,” said Sidharth Nanda, who works with a telecom company in the city.

The wholesalers went on strike to protest against a government proposal to convert the market into a commercial space. They are scared that once the government constructs structures in the area, they might have to buy the space in an auction or pay a monthly rent.

“We have not been offered any written confirmation on whether we will be able to operate in the market once the government puts up sheds. We do not trust the officials. We will continue the strike till the government pays our demands heed,” said Krishan Pal Yadav, a member of Gurgaon Sabji Mandi Adhata Union.