CHANDIGARH, July 8: Double the price, half the quantity - that, in short, is the condition of vegetable prices. Buying a kg of just the essentials- Alu, piaz, tamatar means parting with a crisp Rs 50 note.The item adamant on retaining the top position on the price chart this week is tomatoes. The juicy red orbs are fast becoming an item to be wistfully looked at by the common man. Available at high price of nearly Rs 40 in the retail market, it is burning a big hole in the pocket of our man in the street. Even the wholesale prices draw a big "off" - nearly Rs 20.Ginger is second on the price chart, available for retail rate of Rs 20 as against wholesale rate of Rs 12. Onions are not to be under estimated. This "absolutely must" item is available at Rs 16 per kg in retail market and Rs 10 in the "sabzi mandi". The "hot" item of yesterdays, chillies, have chilled out to Rs 6 per kg in the "mandi'. Summer vegetables have given breather - with temperature, the prices have also cooled down.
