Guwahati, Feb 4: The price of a kilo of garlic has skyrocketed to around Rs 400 in the biggest northeastern city, Guwahati, this weekend.
Due to the high costs of most vegetables, it has become increasingly challenging for the average residents of Guwahati to afford them.
In these difficult times, garlic has joined the trend of expensive vegetables, with prices reaching 400 rupees per kilo.
City dwellers are not at all impressed with garlic prices too burning a hole in their pockets.
“Our consumption has become limited. We have stopped using garlic. Now we put alternative spices in our food,” said Jyotika Devi, a home maker of Beltola.
Abdul Rahman, a vegetable vendor in Beltola Bazar, said, “We have to sell it at a price that leaves us with a profit margin.” He, however, refused to comment on an alleged syndicate around the popular spice or reasons for the price rise.
In Guwahati, many small food joints have either stopped or reduced the use of the popular ingredient in their food.
Rajesh Lahon, who owns a roadside eatery in Bamuni Maidan in the city, said, “We cannot stop the use of garlic because it is indispensable in the Assamese culinary practices. However, due to its price rise, we have limited its use.”
