The state government of Tamil Nadu began to sell tomatoes via ration shops and outlets under the public distribution scheme, as a part of the plan to control the rising prices. Tomatoes are made available for Rs.60 per kilogram in 82 PDS stores.
On Tuesday, in order to set off the high prices of tomatoes, the government of Tamil Nadu started selling this precious commodity at INR 60 per kg in 82 retail outlets throughout the city. The Minister of Cooperatives, K R. Periyakaruppan made a statement that this initiative will expand to other parts of the country, if necessary.
As per the orders of Chief Minister M.K.Stalin, sales of tomatoes were opened at Pannai Pasumai (Farm Fresh) outlets recently. However the important move is to expand to Pannai Pasumai outlets in Salem, Erode, Chennai, Coimbatore, and Vellore making tomatoes available at Rs 60 per kilo, he added.The decision to sell tomatoes in the ration shops was adopted during cabinet meeting on Monday evening chaired by the Minister. He has also directed the officials from cooperative and horticulture services to identify the tomato growing areas, to ensure uninterrupted supply of tomatoes to the consumers in Tamil Nadu.
Tomatoes are currently being sold at prices ranging from ₹120 to ₹140 per kg at all parts of the state. IANS reported that the sale is limited to one kilogram for each person in the state’s civil supplies department.
It was informed in the meeting that a reduction in the number of tomatoes coming from the neighboring countries had led to an increase in the price. ‘Tomato prices were at a retail value of 110 per kg, with some areas in the city selling them for more than that’, sources from Koyambedu Wholesale Market said. According to an official in the cooperative department, one kilo of tomatoes would be given each day to a family. This will be sold at a total of 32 outlets in north Chennai as well as 25 FT shops from Central and South Chennai districts in the initial phase.
The Minister further stated that measures will be taken for making tomatoes available in other parts of the state through fair price shops, if required. “efforts are being made to stabilize the price soon”, he added.The prices of green chillies, garlic, coriander and ginger are also rising along with the increase in the prices of tomatoes.
The Minister told IANS that, if tomato prices continued to rise, the government should start a new process of procuring more produce and sell them at cheaper prices to avoid the problems faced by consumers.
