Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, May 13: As the public has minimum time span to buy essential commodities on weekdays and complete lockdown amid growing cases of Covid-19 cases during the weekend in the district, a few outlets of the Horticultural Producers' Cooperative Marketing and Processing Society (HOPCOMS) in the city are charging exorbitant prices for fruits and vegetables.

Though the main objective of the establishment of this organization was to ensure profitable prices to farmers and reasonable rates to the consumers, a few outlets are charging sky high prices. In addition, a few outlets do not issue proper bills.

In the district, the HOPCOMS outlets remain open till 9 am during the weekend lockdown. Recently, during the first-weekend curfew, people including the elderly, flocked to buy vegetables and fruits at the HOPCOMS outlet at Urwa market. When people gathered in large numbers, police disbursed the crowd swinging their canes. Using the situation, the shopkeeper at the outlet charged Rs 1,004 for purchasing a kilo each of sapota, pomegranate, muskmelon, and watermelon, without issuing a bill.

In another case, speaking on condition of anonymity said, "The HOPCOMS outlet in Bondel is also charging exorbitantly. When a kilo of bananas cost Rs 60 at other shops and Rs 50 also at a few of them, the HOPCOMS charges Rs 70. Even other fruits and vegetables are really expensive. I brought a few vegetables and fruits paying Rs 1,000 there. The same at the central market in Hampankatta would cost a much lesser price. People who can afford to pay, may go for HOPCOMS. What about the economically backward ones? The government has allowed only the HOPCOMS to run the show on weekends of which they take advantage. The authorities have to cap the prices.”