Winter chill ups fruit prices

The winter this year has caused prices of vegetables and fruits to go up, which are much higher in Shimla than in other towns of Himachal Pradesh.

Residents say the prices are particularly high in the uptown markets of Shimla, but not in the Subzi Mandi in downtown Shimla.

Most of the residents of the town purchase from Sanjauli, New Shimla, Chotta Shimla, Khalini, Kasumpti, Bharari, Dhalli, Shankli, and Totu suburbs.

People are paying Rs 5"�7 per kg for vegetables, and around Rs 10 per kg for fruits in these smaller markets.

At the Subzi Mandi, the price of capsicum is Rs 22 a kg, carrort Rs 7, onion Rs 7, grape Rs 45, orange (dozen) Rs 30, and banana (dozen) Rs 30. In other markets of the town, capsicum costs Rs 30, carrot Rs 12, onion Rs 12, grape Rs 60, orange Rs 40 (dozen), and banana Rs 40 (dozen).

"The prices of vegetables and fruits are set every fortnight, and they should be uniform in the entire town. If vendors are flouting this, they will be dealt with sternly," said R L Chauhan, district food inspector.