Key Findings of the Market Survey
*Laitumkhrah is the costliest market followed by Jail Road among the surveyed markets.
*Iewduh is the cheapest market in the city.
* Potato and Brinjal (Small) are evenly priced in all the markets.
* Jail Road is the costliest market for onion and Laitumkhrah is the costliest market for green peas.
* Papaya, Capsicum and Brinjal (Big) are evenly priced in Jail Road and Laitumkhrah.
* In Iewduh, a Lemon is priced at Rs 10 and Rs 20 for a pair whereas in Laitumkhrah a lemon is priced at Rs 20.
(Source: vegetable vendors / consumers)(Rates as on March 5)
Prices of vegetables in the local markets continue to haunt the commoners, although there has been some respite in the past few weeks.
In a survey conducted by The Shillong Times in three important markets spread across the city, it has been gathered that the prices of potato, onion, cabbage and carrots which were earlier selling from Rs 20/kg onwards have come down considerably.
An overwhelming number of commoners have responded that prices have definitely come down in the past few months, but at the same time they expressed apprehension that the downward slide may be temporary considering that fuel prices are hiked every now and then, which will automatically have an adverse effect on the prices of essential commodities in the markets.
A vegetable buyer from Iewduh said that one can get some value for money only from this traditional market.
“Here a commoner can expect to buy vegetables at rates lower in comparison with other markets in the city,” he said.
Another such vegetable buyer from Iewduh said capsicum is unaffordable in other markets of the city where it is touching Rs 100 a kg whereas in Iewduh it is priced around Rs 40 a kg.
The prices of green peas too have come have come down considerably in the last few days but that has not yet reached the expectation of the public as in Iewduh it is available at Rs 30 per kg whereas it is selling at almost double the rate in other markets of the city.
“There was a time when green peas were selling at Rs 100 but that has come down to Rs 30 in Iewduh,” said a Laban resident.
A resident of Pynthorumkhrah said that a lemon is priced Rs 10 in Iewduh.
She is echoed by a Laitumkhrah resident who said that the rejected ones which is not suitable for consumption is priced at Rs 15 whereas the better varieties starts at Rs 20 each in Laitumkhrah.
A Demseniong resident said that Laitumkhrah market continues to haunt the consumers, but also rued the fact that the Durbar Shnong is silent on it.
“The Durbar Shnong here has a price monitoring committee under it but it is only in name,” she said adding all vegetables in Laitumkhrah Municipal Market are priced at double the rates as compared to other markets.
Meanwhile, prices of vegetables have become a headache for the daily wagers, casual workers and the economically weaker section of the society.
A daily wage earner from Paltan Bazar said that he does not know anything about seasonal vegetables but only knows that prices of every essential commodity is rising day by day.
“I have to buy rice, dal, egg etc., on a daily basis with my day’s earnings. I know how difficult it is to lead life these days,” he said. (By Rajib Roy)