Tomato prices in Karnataka may hit Rs 85/kg if rains persist in North India, warn traders
Kolar: Tomato prices in Karnataka are likely to surge, with retail rates potentially touching Rs 85 per kg if heavy rains continue to batter Maharashtra and other northern states over the coming days, posing a fresh burden on households that rely on the staple ingredient.
On Sunday, a 15-kg crate of tomatoes at the Kolar APMC market, which is the second-biggest market in Asia, was sold for Rs 750, a sharp increase from Rs 250–Rs 350 just three days ago, The New Indian Express reported.
Traders have warned that if weather conditions do not improve by next week, retail prices of tomatoes would touch Rs 85 per kg in Karnataka.
Kiran, secretary of the APMC market, said that continuous rainfall in Maharashtra, a major tomato-producing state, has disrupted supply to states such as Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Haryana, and Tamil Nadu.
CMR Srinath, a tomato farmer and merchant at the APMC market, also added that heavy rain has affected the tomato crop in large areas of Maharashtra. “If showers continue in the neighbouring state for another week, the prices at the Kolar APMC market would touch Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,200 per crate,” TNIE quoted him as saying.
This disruption has significantly increased the demand for tomatoes from Karnataka, especially from the Kolar region.
“Over 200 vehicles carrying over 2,500 tonnes of the fruit left from the APMC market on Sunday to different destinations,” TNIE quoted Kiran as saying.
Despite the high demand, local supply remains limited, as many farmers in Kolar had reportedly avoided cultivating tomatoes due to poor prices over the last four months.
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Fadnavis rides motorcycle to Vidhan Bhavan, says PM Modi asked only for 'small sacrifices'
Mumbai (PTI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday rode a motorcycle to the Vidhan Bhavan here and later defended the Centre's austerity measures, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi has only "asked people to make small sacrifices".
He also criticised the Opposition for creating "unnecessary controversy" over the matter, adding that questioning the PM's foreign visits - aimed at strategic alliances and economic benefits - was "sheer foolishness".
Fadnavis arrived at the Vidhan Bhavan in South Mumbai on a motorbike from his residence 'Varsha', with BJP leader and minister Ashish Shelar accompanying him, to attend the swearing-in of new members of the legislative council.
The move comes as part of the measures after PM Modi's appeal to conserve fuel and foreign exchange in view of the ongoing conflict in West Asia, which has disrupted global energy supplies. India relies heavily on West Asia for crude oil and gas imports.
On Wednesday, CM Fadnavis announced a series of austerity measures, including halving the number of vehicles in the convoys of his cabinet colleagues, and cancelling foreign tours of ministers and officials.
Addressing reporters here on Thursday, Fadnavis said the state government had curtailed convoys, cancelled avoidable foreign tours and decided against holding large government events for the next six months.
Targeting the Opposition, the CM said similar austerity measures had been adopted by previous governments, including during the tenures of former prime ministers Indira Gandhi and P V Narasimha Rao, as well as by former finance minister P Chidambaram in 2012.
"The Opposition needs to show some maturity. Countries across the world have taken even tougher decisions. The prime minister has only asked people to make small sacrifices while himself taking very tough decisions. Creating unnecessary controversy over this is not appropriate," he said.
Fadnavis said he travelled by motorcycle to send a message on fuel conservation, adding that symbolic actions by political leaders help spread awareness among people.
"When leaders act symbolically in this manner, the message reaches the people. That is why I came here on a motorcycle," he stressed.
The chief minister said all unnecessary foreign visits by officials and ministers had been stopped, and efforts were underway to reduce fuel consumption and save foreign exchange.
"We have reduced our convoys. Wherever petrol and diesel can be saved, wherever foreign exchange can be conserved, we are making every possible effort," he said.
Fadnavis said a major government event scheduled in Satara on Friday would, however, go ahead as it was planned in advance and expenditure had already been incurred.
He said around 25 lakh families would receive benefits valued at Rs 10,000 crore under the Centre's Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana during the programme.
"After this event, however, no large government programmes will be organised over the next six months," he added.
The CM also dismissed criticism on social media over PM Modi's foreign visits, saying overseas trips aimed at strategic alliances and economic gains for the country should not be equated with avoidable travel.
"The appeal is only against unnecessary foreign travel. It does not mean businessmen should cancel important overseas deals. Criticising the prime minister's foreign visits is sheer foolishness," he said.
