Mancherial: Prices of vegetables, pulses and commodities increased

Mancherial: Since last few days, the prices of vegetables, pulses and basic products have been skyrocketing, causing financial burden on the public. The prices of vegetables, seeds, pomegranates, etc., zinnias, cauliflowers, masalas, damascus, etc. have fallen dramatically. For example, bananas cost Rs 80 per kg, while native beans (chikkudu) are sold at Rs 100 per kg. The prices of damascus, masslos, cauliflower and zainhora have increased by at least 20 percent. They have also changed the prices of essential ingredients of curry, such as green chillies, tomatoes, cilantro leaves, aloe vera, onion, ginger and garlic. Green chillies are sold at Rs 80 per kg, while coriander leaves cost Rs 100 per kg. It can be bought for Rs 400 per kg, whereas fifteen days ago it was being sold for Rs 200. Prices soared when devotees celebrated the Bonalu festival by thanking Lord Shiva or Mallanna for his goodness and cooking a variety of dishes and gathering at local temples on Sundays to register an excellent harvest. Traditionally the goddess is worshiped during seven Sundays in the months of December and January. Devotees expressed sadness that celebrating the festival would become an expensive affair. Vegetable vendors say that prices have increased due to increase in demand and decrease in supply. However, it is expected that the rates will reduce on Sankranti festival. Meanwhile, the price of fine grain rice like Jai Shri Ram and HMT Sona variety has increased by Rs 10 per kg. Rice is sold at Rs 7,000 per quintal in Mancherial city market. The price of Toor Dal (Kandiappu) has increased from Rs 140 to Rs 180 per kg. Prices of manya, sesame, cooking oil, Bengali gram and other pulses have increased ahead of the festival of Sankranti. People of Telangana, who are known to prepare various bocadillos like Chakinalu, Garelu, Murukulu and Laddu during Sankranti, are very worried over the increase in the prices of ingredients. Rajakka, a woman from Gautami Nagar, said, “Given the steep rise in prices of key ingredients in recent times, I feel compelled to reduce the quantity of snacks I consume.”