Bhopal: Prices of essential goods soar; no regulation, complain residents

BHOPAL: The age-old ‘demand & supply’ principle -- supposedly the prime factor responsible for determining prices of goods and services — no longer seems to apply in the post-lockdown Bhopal market. The demand continues to be depressed, but the prices are soaring.
Be it fluctuation in prices of tomato, green vegetables or poultry products or even services like hair-cutting or transport by an auto.There is a huge difference between the prices now as compared to the pre-lockdown period and in some cases even during the lockdown.
“Can you imagine, chicken prices nosediving to Rs 30 to Rs 50 a kg during the initial days of coronavirus scare as people stopped eating chicken? But, now it is selling for Rs 250 per kg. Though chicken consumption still continues to be low. The price once shot upto Rs 300 per kg,” said Yashwant Thakur.
“We suffered a great loss during the lockdown as even our regular customers were scared to eat chicken due to rumours that coronavirus spreads through chicken. We were forced to sell chicken at Rs 30-40 per kg, while the cost before the lockdown was around Rs 150-160 per kilo. Now we are selling it at Rs 180-200 per kg.,” said Zaid Khan, owner of a chicken shop.
While some people argue that it is still the “demand and supply” equation, which is determining rates of goods and services, this does not seem to be the case.
The turnout at salons has gone down drastically after the lockdown. Santosh, who has a salon at Chuna Bhatti saysCovid expenses have increased. “We are charging more money. Rs 50 for shaving and Rs 100 for haircut if you don't bring cloth from home to cover your body. For haircut, we have to use a new piece of cloth,” he said.
The number of vegetable/fruit vendors in the city have gone up by 500 to 600 since the lockdown, says president of Bittan Market Sabji Vyapari Sangh, Hariom Khatik, but it has not led to receding of vegetable/fruit prices in any manner. Whenever they sense an opportunity like the two days before the 10-day lockdown in Bhopal or each Saturday evening, prices of vegetables and fruits instantly go up.
“The cost of transportation has increased, and local markets like those of Bittan market haat, Govindpura haat, BHEL haat etc are not open, so vendors are forced to sell vegetables door-to-door. If they are buying them at higher prices because of the increase in fuel prices and also have to go to the colonies, they will charge extra for their efforts,” said Khatik.
Rakesh Patidat, owner of a local grocery store, said, “The shortage of supplies caused during lockdown led to the increase in prices and as the supply chain is still not functioning as smoothly as before, prices are not likely to go down. Prices of pulses like Arhar and Moong were affected the most by it.” The administration says it can't decide the rates. “We don't decide the rates. But, if you have a specific complaint about a shop selling goods at a higher price than the MRP, you can register a complaint, we shall take action,” said controller, weights & measures department, S K Jain. But, who will decide the MRP of chicken, vegetables or pulses?
The administration can only try to ensure that everything is available in plenty so that there is not much room for manipulating prices according to the situation,” said district administration spokesperson, Arun Rathore.