Saturday, 22 JULY 2023 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Dehradun district magistrate Sonika said that there has been a huge drop in the prices of vegetables due to the rate list of vegetables being issued regularly by the district administration. She said this in response to claims that many retailers are still selling vegetables at exorbitant prices despite the administration’s order. Despite the list issued by the district administration for vegetable retailers, many have been selling vegetables at higher prices than mentioned in the list which is being regularly issued by the administration since Monday. Retailers have claimed that they will have to bear heavy losses if they decide to sell vegetables as per the price list of the administration.
Responding to such issues, the DM told The Pioneer that the purpose of issuing the list was to raise awareness among people regarding vegetable rates to ensure they do not fall victim to profiteering. The purpose was to raise awareness among the public and make the retailers know that all are aware of the prices and they cannot sell them at their own rates. She said that its effect is noticeable in various parts of the district. “Yes, the administration is getting complaints regarding the implementation from some areas and the teams specifically formed to monitor the prices are regularly conducting inspections. Awareness and enforcement are part of the process which is being done efficiently by teams,” said Sonika. She said that some retailers also justify their vegetable prices stating that they have to bear extra expenses like transportation and labour from Mandi to their respective destinations which the administration understands but no one is allowed to exploit consumers during such a crisis.
Dehradun was the first district in the State that issued a rate list of vegetables which is now being followed by other districts too. She said that it might take some time to eradicate this practice but the administration is putting in all its efforts. The situation will return to normal once the district gets a regular vegetable supply, added the DM.
