Get Tomatoes for Rs 60/kg: Govt's New Subsidy in Delhi-NCR to Tame Prices

New Delhi:  Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on Monday introduced a new program to offer tomatoes at a subsidised rate of Rs 60 per kg in Delhi, Noida, and Gurugram. This initiative is aimed to mitigate the impact of rising tomato prices and provide relief to consumers.

Distribution by NCCF

The National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India Ltd (NCCF) will manage the distribution through specially deployed vans. This effort is in response to the recent increase in tomato prices, which have soared to Rs 70-100 per kg across various locations in Delhi.

Government Measures

Joshi explained that the Department of Consumer Affairs has launched this initiative to curb the surge in tomato prices. He also highlighted the role of the Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF), which is intended to stabilize food prices and safeguard consumer interests. For this particular initiative, tomatoes were procured directly from mandis, bypassing the need for PSF intervention. The NCCF's intervention aims to stabilize tomato prices by ensuring they remain affordable and preventing inflated profit margins for intermediaries. This move underscores the NCCF’s commitment to fair trade practices and protecting consumer interests, fostering a more balanced market environment.

When Tomato Prices Surged to ₹100 Per Kg

Tomato prices in Delhi-NCR had surged to ₹100 per kg due to adverse weather conditions affecting supply chains. A senior official from the department attributed the sharp price increase to disruptions caused by extreme heat followed by heavy rainfall. This supply issue has not only impacted tomatoes but also driven up prices for potatoes, onions, and other green vegetables.