Telangana bandh pushes prices up

Hyderabad, Dec. 7: The 48-hour bandh call given by the agitators demanding statehood for Telangana has only boosted the prices of essential commodities in the twin cities.

With main markets remaining closed, small shop owners in residential areas and slums have been making a quick buck by charging as much as 30 per cent more for every item.

Sugar, that was sold for Rs 35 a kilogram just a few days ago, costs Rs 40 today. Even rice, that was available for Rs 34 a kg, was sold for Rs 45 a kilo at some places. A drastic hike was seen in the price of milk as well. With the outlets of milk dairies not opening, milk was sold for Rs 40 a litre.

The non-arrival of vegetables from other parts of the state into the city pushed up the prices even in the Rythu Bazaars.
Tomatoes, which were priced at Rs 14 a kg two days ago, are now costing Rs 25 a kg. Currently, onions and potatoes cost Rs 22 and Rs 26 per kg. Two days ago, onions were available for Rs 16 and potatoes for Rs 20 a kg.

Vegetable traders are demanding upto 50 per cent more saying they themselves had to pay “extra” for the transport of goods.

Bachelors and youngsters, who depend on small hotels and messes for food, have their own share of problems.

“Though we have nothing to do with the agitation, we too are ‘fasting’ with the TRS president, Mr K. Chandrasekhar Rao. All the places we used to eat at are closed,” said Mr Prashanth, a PG student.