Vegetable prices in Tamil Nadu have seen a rise, as the All India Motor Transport Congress strike enters its fourth day on Monday.
According to reports, prices rose by 10 to 15%. On Thursday, a kilogram of tomatoes were priced at Rs 22 while they rose Rs 25 by Sunday. Onions were Rs 18 per kilogram and rose to Rs 22. Coconut and ginger – Rs 20 and 70 respectively on Thursday – were later priced at Rs 30 and Rs 85, while a kilogram of green chilli went from Rs 40 to Rs 50.
The price of potato has reportedly increased from Rs 25 to Rs 30 while the price of ash gourd has gone up from Rs 15 to Rs 25.
Speaking to ToI, M Thyagarajan, President of Koyambedu Vegetable, Fruits and Flower Traders Welfare Association said, “Due to the strike, 20 trucks with coconuts from Pollachi, Udumalaipettai and Thanjavur could not reach Koyambedu market on Sunday. In two incidents in Ranipet and Chittoor on Friday, vegetable trucks making their way to Koyambedu were forced to suspend operations. Vegetable prices could increase drastically if drivers of delivery trucks are threatened. We have sought the intervention of the government."
The AIMTC is on an indefinite strike demanding a reduction in diesel prices and toll charges.
The Hindu reports that alternative arrangements were made in Theni to manage the truckers strike. District administration officials were asked not to stop the movement of essential commodities like milk, vegetables, and items meant for public distribution shops that were transported in minivans.
While wholesale vegetable merchants told ToI that their business remained unaffected, C Dhanaraj, Secretary of the State Lorry Owners Federation said, "About 5% trucks might be operating. But they too will participate in the indefinite strike."