Vegetable Price Hike: Big news is here. The government is implementing various initiatives to assist the public during the festive period, but the escalating prices of vegetables are putting a strain on the budgets of ordinary individuals. Vegetable prices are on the rise in markets nationwide, including in the Hathin vegetable market in Haryana, where the costs of essential vegetables have surged.
Of particular concern are the prices of onions, lemons, and ginger, with onions reaching 70 to 80 rupees per kg, lemons at 250 rupees per kg, and ginger at 125 rupees per kg. Cauliflower is being sold for 60 to 65 rupees per kg, tomatoes for 50 to 55 rupees per kg, zucchini for 40 to 50 rupees, taro for 40 rupees, cucumber for 60 rupees, carrots for 60 rupees, and pumpkin for 40 rupees per kg. However, potatoes are relatively cheaper at around Rs 25 per kg.
Regarding the decrease in the price of edible oil:
The government has urged edible oil companies to pass on the full benefit of the reduced import duty to consumers. The government has lowered the basic customs duty on crude sunflower oil from 10 percent to zero and on refined sunflower oil from 32.5 percent to 22.5 percent. The duty on crude soybean oil and palm oil has been reduced from 10 percent to 5 percent, and on refined soybean oil and palm oil from 32.5 percent to 27.5 percent.
Companies in the industry have been instructed to promptly adjust the Price to Distributor (PTD) and Maximum Retail Price (MRP) to reflect the decreased import costs. The Ministry has instructed associations of edible oil manufacturers to advise their members to implement the necessary price reductions without delay.
The ministry clarified that the decision to reduce duties is aimed at stabilizing edible oil prices in the local market, offering relief to consumers, and alleviating inflationary pressures caused by the global increase in edible oil prices. The ministry emphasized that it has maintained the duty difference between crude and refined edible oil to encourage the use of domestic refining capabilities and discourage excessive imports of refined edible oil.