Amid growing prices of tomatoes across the country, almost five tonnes of tomatoes are being imported from neighboring Nepal, that are in transit, and will be sold at a subsidised rate of Rs 50 per kilogram in Uttar Pradesh on Thursday, according to the National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India Limited (NCCF).
The NCCF has signed a contract for the import of 10 tonnes of tomatoes from Nepal.
To relieve customers of excessive tomato prices, NCCF is importing and domestically procuring tomatoes on behalf of the central government and retailing them at a discounted rate.
The Union Consumer Affairs Ministry gave approval for the retail intervention.
“We have contracted 10 tonnes of tomato imports from Nepal. Out of this, 3-4 tonne was distributed yesterday in Uttar Pradesh. About 5 tonnes…is in transit and will be retailed tomorrow in UP at subsidised rates,” Anice Joseph Chandra, NCCF Managing Director, was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
She also said that the tomatoes imported, cannot be sold in other parts of India due to their short shelf life.
In Uttar Pradesh, both imported and locally sourced tomatoes are offered for sale in specific areas through static stores and mobile vans.
Tomatoes from prominent producing states in the nation are being sold in Delhi-NCR and Rajasthan at a subsidised price of Rs 50 per kg, she stated.
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