Nervous public throngs shops, stocks up on essentials

The price of tomatoes, which was Rs 10 per kilo a day before, touched nearly Rs 100 on Monday evening. The announcement of Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa’s critical health condition saw people flocking to the markets and stores to stock up on essential commodities. Thus, many local markets saw the prices of vegetables shooting up. Annette Hendricks, a resident of Perambur, said the prices had nearly doubled, as vendors ran out of tomatoes and onions. 

“Around 5.30 pm, vegetables that were sold for Rs 20 for 500 grams on Sunday, were sold for Rs 50. There were no tomatoes at all in the market and vendors had to go to the Villivakkam to procure more stock. In addition, bakery stores too ran out of bread and buns,” said the employee of a private firm in the city. The vegetable market in Arumbakkam was choked as people made a dash before the stock got over, even as vendors ran out of vegetables. Jyotheeswaran, a 57-year-old government official, rued that the shortage has led to a price hike. “Everything has doubled in price,” he added.

Abdul Sattar, a 60-year-old vendor, had sold his entire stock by 5.30 pm. “The prices have nearly doubled. Peas is being sold for Rs 60 per kg. I sold around 50 boxes of tomatoes today, which is more than the usual,” he said. Another vendor, Mubarrak Ali, had to procure extra supply of tomatoes to meet the demand. 

“There was an unprecedented number of people coming to buy and the supply was not enough. We had to get more from the Koyambedu market, and by evening, the prices went from Rs 10 to Rs 50. All our stock has been cleaned out,” said the 41-year-old vendor.  V R Soundarajan, honorary president, Koyambedu Vegetable Market Association, said, “The prices might have gone up at other markets but it was stable in the Koyambedu market. With concerns for the next few days, we will ensure a steady supply of the essential commodities.”