Vegetable and fruit vendors in Super Market area on Thursday afternoon, April 7. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 7
As fuel prices continue to spiral upwards across Nagaland due to the global crisis brought on by the Russia-Ukraine war and other consequential issues, the effect has not been felt so far on the prices of essential commodities and transportation.
This is according to inputs given by fruit and vegetable vendors, whole sale dealers and commercial drivers in Dimapur.
In fact, food prices are expected to come down further as summer approaches ever closer. “Except for cooking oil, all the other food items in my inventory have remained the same,” said the owner of a whole sale shop in Murgipatty. He further mentioned that the price of a bag of rice has come down owing to government subsidies.
Another whole sale dealer within the same vicinity shared that the cost of onion, garlic, potatoes and other vegetables has decreased compared to the last few months. “Summer is approaching so I am expecting the prices to come down even further,” he said. Most of the food items in his shop come from areas in West Bengal, Siliguri and Assam.
“So far the suppliers have not raised the prices of any of the items; but if they do raise it in the coming months then I will be compelled to do so as well,” he commented. He further mentioned that all of the goods are transported by road.
At Super Market area, considered among the busiest markets in Dimapur, fruit sellers shared the same experience as other retailers and godown owners. “Most of the fruits I sell here are in peak season right now; so accordingly their prices have come down,” said one fruit seller.
Turning the attention towards transportation, one vehicle owner of a TATA pickup truck shared that the cost of transportation hasn’t changed as of yet. “I usually charge around Rs 700-800, depending on the type of goods,” he informed.
However, he admitted that the rising fuel prices have drastically affected his earnings in recent weeks as he is compelled to spend more of his money at the fuel pump.
A second vehicle owner who drives a tempo also shared his experience saying that he is finding it more difficult to save his earnings. “I need to spend more on fuel with the same amount of money that I earn, beshi dikdar hoishay ho,” he declared.
Meanwhile, following several hikes in fuel rates in the last 16 days, petrol and diesel prices on Thursday remained unchanged. In Dimapur, the price for a litre of petrol continued to be Rs 106.61 while diesel costs Rs 92.93 per litre, as per the IndianOil ONE app.
