Tomatoes fuel fresh fears of food inflation spike in October
New Delhi: Tomato prices are once again raising concerns about a potential spike in food inflation this month, as vegetable inflation surged to a 14-month high of 36% in September, driving food inflation for consumers up to 9.2%. With fewer tomatoes arriving at mandis and festive season demand rising, households are feeling the pinch of soaring prices.
Last Tuesday, Umakant, a vegetable vendor in South Delhi’s Prakash Mohalla, who buys his stock from the Okhla Mandi, noticed several customers walking away due to the sharp increase in vegetable prices. Tomatoes, in particular, were being sold at ₹120 per kg. Retail tomato prices had jumped by 233% in July compared to June, but saw a 23% drop in August, providing some respite. However, excessive rainfall in September has presented a new challenge, as mandi arrivals have more than halved since August.
Year-on-year vegetable inflation reached 36% in September, the highest in 14 months. The situation for tomatoes has worsened since early October, with prices exceeding ₹100 per kg in many cities across the country. Meanwhile, prices of onions and potatoes continue to remain high, further straining household budgets.
On October 7, the Centre stepped in to address the issue, launching tomato sales at ₹65 per kg in Delhi NCR. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs termed the price hike “unwarranted,” pointing to the “possible role of market intermediaries” amidst the high-demand festive season.
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Andhra Pradesh Police search for director Ram Gopal Varma over offensive posts against Andhra CM
Hyderabad: The Andhra Pradesh Police are actively searching for film director Ram Gopal Varma after he failed to appear for questioning in connection with a case filed against him for allegedly posting offensive and morphed images of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, and their family members on social media.
The case was registered at Maddipadu Police Station in Prakasam district on November 11, with the complainant Ramalingam alleging that Varma's posts undermined the reputation of the leaders and caused personal harm.
Three police teams—two in Hyderabad and one in Tamil Nadu—have been deployed to locate Varma. One team is currently in Chennai, another is at his residence in Hyderabad, and the third is searching in Film Nagar. Police officials reported that Varma’s phone is switched off, complicating their efforts.
According to Prakasam District Superintendent of Police (SP) A.R. Damodar, Varma had been issued two notices and was given until November 24 to cooperate with the investigation. However, he failed to appear, leading to intensified search efforts.
Varma’s lawyer has argued that physical presence is not required and has requested that the investigation proceed in a virtual format under provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The lawyer stated that Varma had communicated his willingness to cooperate digitally but alleged that police had not responded to his requests.
SP Damodar criticised the director's approach, stating, "Without appearing for the investigation, how can Varma suggest a virtual probe?" He confirmed that police are pursuing all legal avenues to ensure compliance.
Varma, who had earlier requested additional time due to prior commitments, was summoned for investigation on November 25 but failed to attend. Police have stated that further legal action will follow if he continues to remain uncooperative.
