W Orissa residents cut down on consumption

 Sambalpur: The soaring prices of vegetables in Sambalpur have forced people to either stay away from them or cut down on consumption. If market sources are to be believed, the prices won’t come down till harvesting of the new vegetable crops. While cauliflower is being sold between Rs  50 and Rs   60 a kg, prices of other vegetables range between  Rs 24 and Rs  40 except pumpkin and papaya that are sold at Rs  16. Likewise, carrot, brinjal and cucumber are priced at Rs  24 a kg, beans, bitter gourd, pear gourd and radish are sold between Rs 30 and Rs 32 a kg.  Similarly, cowpea (jhudunga), tomato, capsicum and green chilly are priced at Rs  40 a kg. However, the price of cabbage and bottle gourd is stable at Rs 20 and even drumsticks are selling at Rs  60 to Rs 80 depending on the quality.  Price of onion has come down to Rs 16 while potato is being sold at Rs 10, garlic at Rs  100 a kg, ginger at Rs 45 a kg and coriander leaves at Rs 150 a kg. While these are the prices of vegetables in the main market at Gole Bazaar, the prices in other areas differ depending on the demographic composition and income group. Sources said prices have been on the higher side since the flood in September. Vendors in Gole Bazaar said people have cut down on consumption of vegetables with purchases being limited to just half-a-kg or a kg. “There is a large gap between demand and supply now. Harvesting of crops has started but the prices will be high due to the ensuing wedding season,” said Gopal Gupta, a vendor.