The prices of vegetables, rice and other food items have increased by 10% to 30% in the last fortnight.
The Sakala Janula Samme (or the "people's general strike") has inflated the prices of almost all essential commodities in the state capital.
The prices of vegetables, rice and other food items have increased by 10% to 30% in the last fortnight.
Although private transport operators have not participated in the strike, the general strike has had a negative overall impact on the supplies of vegetables and other commodities, due to frequent road blockades and other agitations in the Telangana region.
For instance, at Mir Alam Mandi, the price of one kilogram of tomatoes 15 days ago was Rs. 8. On Wednesday, one kg of tomatoes was sold for Rs. 13 to Rs. 18.
Similarly, the prices of potatoes have increased from Rs. 8-9 a kilo to Rs. 12-16 per kilo, and the rates of green chillies have increased from Rs. 12-16 to Rs. 26-30.
Prices of leafy vegetables, too, have registered a sharp increase in the last fortnight.
"The supplies from the neighbouring districts have got reduced due to the strike, leading due to a huge demand-supply gap, and therefore, the prices are on the rise," a trader at Mir Alam Mandi said.
Customers, too, are obviously not happy with the price rise. "Our family income has already been hit due to the general strike. How can we manage things if prices of vegetables, too, increase?" Vimla Jain, a resident of Old City said.
The strike has also affected the supply of rice in the twin cities. Due to the shortage, prices of rice have increased by over 10%.
According to Habeer-ur-Rahman, owner of Brindavan Wholesale & Kirana General Store at Tolichowki, the rates of Sona Masoori rice, which was available for Rs. 2,650 - Rs. 2,800 per quintal about 15 days ago, is now being sold for Rs. 2,900 - Rs. 3,300.
Similarly, the rates of second-grade rice have increased from Rs. 2,200 - Rs. 2,450 to Rs. 2,600 - Rs. 2,900.
The prices of edible oils, too, have increased by Rs. 10 to Rs. 15 per kg. Likewise, the rates of pulses have increased by Rs. 10 per kg. (INN)