KOLKATA: The lifting of restrictions from the markets of essential perishable commodities and those of retail durables on Friday has left retailers and consumers relieved. The resumption of usual operational hours eased the supply line substantially, ensuring seamless movement of quality of goods with gradual softening of prices of commodities.
The most perceptible change could be witnessed at retail markets of perishable items like vegetables, fruits, fish, egg and meat. Apart from cooling prices off, the increase in supply of vegetables was remarkable. “The removal of the restricted window has instilled a lot of confidence among vendors,” said Gautam Das, convenor of New Garia Vendors Association.
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Vendors said that prices of perishable items will drop substantially, the moment the local train services resume. “More than 70% perishable items are transported by vendors of suburban train services. In the absence of local trains, the transportation costs rose more than four to five times,” said Kamal De, Bengal Vendors’ Association president and member of the market task force appointed by CM Mamata Banerjee.
But, there were hitches on first day. In retail markets of perishable items in north Kolkata like Maniktala and Bagbazar, confusion over timing reigned supreme. “Since there was no clear statement of complete withdrawal of restrictions in the government order, vendors kept spreading self contradictory opinions about market timing,” said Khokan Koley, secretary of Lansdowne Market Association.
“It takes a couple of days to streamline a system when it is introduced,” said an agri-marketing department officer.
