Assam: Amid Protests over CAA, Skyrocketing Prices of Onions Goes Unnoticed

Guwahati, 23 December 2019:

Amid the on-going nationwide protests against the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act, one thing that seems to have gone unnoticed is the skyrocketing prices of vegetables -- and especially, the quintessential onion - across the country. The trend in Guwahati city of Assam has been no different.

The price of the onions is currently fluctuating and the vendors of the Ganeshguri vegetable market of Guwahati city are selling it at around Rs 120 per kg, while tomatoes are being sold at Rs 60 per kg, carrots at Rs 70 per kg, and potatoes at Rs 40 per kg -- a marked rise in prices compared to a few months earlier.

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The vegetable vendors told Inside Northeast that the prices of vegetables have not increased, despite the current situation of unrest that is prevailing in Assam as an outcome of C(A)A. The vendors, meanwhile, have denied the customers’ complaint that there has been a hike in the prices.

Upon being asked about the price hike of onions, a local vendor claimed that they are being reportedly imported from Bangladesh, which could be the reason why they are starting to cost more. Another vendor has denied the price hike, whereas the customers have stated that there has been a price hike.

Customers has stated that due to the curfew that was imposed after protests turned violent that led to the shutdown of transportation and trade, the vendors are raising the prices wantonly.

Responding to the vendors denying the hike in prices, a customer pointed out, “Only the ones who purchase the vegetables would understand and know how much the prices have risen. The vendors do sell it, but it’s the customer who buys the produce.”

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