The Department of Consumer Affairs has issued a directive to the NCCF and the NAFED to sell tomatoes at a retail price of Rs. 40...
Digital Desk: In a bid to alleviate the impact of plummeting tomato prices on consumers, the Department of Consumer Affairs has issued a directive to the National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation Limited (NCCF) and the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited (NAFED) to sell tomatoes at a retail price of Rs. 40 per kilogram, effective from August 20, 2023. This decision comes in response to the ongoing decline in tomato prices within both wholesale and retail markets across the nation.
The initiative to regulate tomato prices was first introduced on July 14, 2023, when the retail sale of tomatoes in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) was initiated. Over the course of this period, more than 15 lakh kilograms of tomatoes have been procured collectively by NCCF and NAFED. These agencies have been consistently distributing the procured produce to retail consumers in key consumption hubs throughout the country.
These regions encompass Delhi-NCR, as well as cities in Rajasthan such as Jaipur and Kota, various locations in Uttar Pradesh including Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi, and Prayagraj, and select cities in Bihar such as Patna, Muzaffarpur, Arrah, and Buxar.
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The initial retail price for tomatoes procured through NCCF and NAFED was set at Rs.90 per kilogram. However, this price has been progressively reduced in tandem with the declining tomato prices, thereby passing on the benefits of the price correction to consumers. The most recent price adjustment was made on August 15, 2023, when the retail price was lowered to Rs.50 per kilogram. This retail price is now set to see a further reduction to Rs.40 per kilogram, effective August 20, 2023.
It's worth recalling that the Department of Consumer Affairs had previously instructed NCCF and NAFED to commence tomato procurement from marketplaces in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. This strategic move aimed to ensure a consistent supply of tomatoes for distribution in major consumption centers, particularly in regions where retail prices had experienced the most substantial increases over the past month.
The recent directive showcases the government's commitment to stabilizing essential commodity prices and ensuring affordability for consumers. As the agencies gear up to enforce the revised pricing structure, consumers across the identified regions can look forward to relishing the benefits of reduced tomato prices, providing much-needed relief to household budgets.
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