AGARTALA, September 9 (TIWN): Along with the hike in the onion prices, vegetables prices have also soared in the state just ahead of the auspicious celebration Durga Puja festival.

Even after a month of price hike of Onion, which has almost touched the sky, Food, Civil supplies and Consumers Affairs Minister Bhanu lal Saha is in long yawning siesta to check the price hike of the onions and the vegetables in the wholesale as well retail market.

Over the past month, retail prices of onion have shot up almost from Rs. 40 per kg to 80-85 per kg in the State. Besides, the wholesale prices of onions have also risen over the same period across the state.

Besides, the price of other vegetables like Brinjal are selling at Rs. 80, Chili at Rs. 300 per Kg and many other. We can say not a single vegetable are selling below Rs. 70

According to a housewife, as onion is very essential ingredient in vegetables, we can't ignore it while buying the other vegetables. Such rapid increase in the rate of onion is shocking. This increase has hits our budget and affected our lives.  Therefore, the government has to step in to control the price.

Even the daily vendors are selling onion for Rs. 80 per kg and there is not much difference in the price. Being a working class family, we are badly hit, said a local. Besides, all the vegetables are selling not less than Rs 70 per Kg which has become very hard to afford.

The government should keep a strict vigil over the rise in the prices, said another man.

The hikes in the prices of vegetables have upset the budgets of middle and lower class families, particularly affecting those below the poverty line. The rise in prices of vegetables has created great dissatisfaction among the public.

However, with the prices of vegetables shooting sky high, most housewives are now looking for alternatives like using less onion to prepare their daily meals.