In a bid to counter the rising tomato prices, the National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India Limited (NCCF) has launched mobile vans selling tomatoes at a subsidized price of Rs 65 per kilogram across Delhi NCR.
This market intervention, flagged off by Nidhi Khare, Secretary of the Department of Consumer Affairs, aims to provide immediate relief to consumers struggling with the inflated rates.
Tomato prices have surged in recent weeks, despite consistent supply to local mandis. The spike is largely attributed to unfavorable weather conditions, such as heavy rains and prolonged monsoons in key producing states like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra, which have affected crop quality.
The increased demand during the festive season, coupled with concerns about intermediary price manipulation, has further exacerbated the situation. By directly procuring tomatoes from farmers and eliminating middlemen, the NCCF’s initiative is intended to stabilize prices and protect consumers.
This effort is part of a larger strategy that also includes supplying onions from government reserves at Rs 35 per kilogram in major cities nationwide. The NCCF aims to promote fair trade, ensure price stability, and alleviate the burden of high prices on households.
Senior officials, including Joint Secretary and MD Anupam Mishra, along with economic advisors, were present at the launch.
Mobile vans have been deployed to numerous locations across Delhi NCR, including South Extension, Dwarka, Parliament Street, and many other areas, ensuring that consumers across the region have access to affordable tomatoes during this price surge.
