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In an effort to address rising tomato prices in the retail market, the Secretary of the Department of Consumer Affairs, under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Nidhi Khare, flagged off National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India Limited (NCCF) vans selling tomatoes at Rs 65 per kg in Delhi NCR on Monday, according to a press release from the Department of Consumer Affairs.
NCCF has launched a market intervention by directly procuring tomatoes from mandis and selling them at a subsidised rate of Rs 65 per kilogram. This intervention aims to protect consumers from the recent spike in tomato prices and curb excessive profits by intermediaries. Additionally, NCCF is supplying onions from the government buffer at Rs 35 per kg to retail consumers in major cities across the country, the release said. The retail price of tomatoes has seen an unjustified increase in recent weeks, despite a steady supply in mandis. Rains and high humidity due to a prolonged monsoon in major producing states such as Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra have reportedly caused quality concerns in recent weeks. The possible role of market intermediaries in the current price hike during the high-demand festive season cannot be ruled out, the press release noted. NCCF's intervention underscores its commitment to promoting fair trade practices, ensuring price stability, and protecting consumer interests. By directly engaging with farmers and offering tomatoes at a discounted rate, the organisation is playing a crucial role in mitigating the impact of price fluctuations on consumers. Senior officials from the Department, including Joint Secretary & MD NCCF Sh. Anupam Mishra, Senior Economic Advisor Sh. I.S. Negi, and Economic Advisor Dr. Kamkhenthang Guite, were present at the launch of the retail tomato sales. This initiative aims to provide consumers across various locations with a more affordable option for this essential commodity, according to the release. The mobile vans in Delhi NCR are located in South Extension, CGO, Krishi Bhawan Gate No. 1, NCUI Complex, Dwarka Sector 1, Rohini Sector 2, Parliament Street, R.K. Puram Sector 10, Jasola, Kaka Nagar, Yamuna Vihar-C Block, Model Town, Preet Vihar, INA Market, Mehrauli, Moti Nagar, Kali Baadi, Najafgarh, Mayapuri, Lodhi Colony, Nehru Place, Rajiv Chowk Metro Station, Patel Chowk Metro Station, New Friends Colony, Munirka, Nangal Raya, Dhaula Kuan, Karol Bagh, Rajouri Garden, Malviya Nagar, Saket, Ghitorni, Sarvpriya Vihar, Harkesh Nagar, Kalkaji, Sadiq Nagar, Modern Town, Chandni Chowk, ITO, Badarpur Border, Uttam Nagar, Okhla Phase-2, Karkardooma, Shastri Park, Kidwai Nagar Phase-1, Kashmere Gate, Daryaganj, Shalimar Bagh, Shahdara, and Dilshad Garden, the release added. (ANI)
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