As Deepavali approaches, the markets throughout Chittoor district are vibrant with bustling energy. Shoppers are celebrating with extra enthusiasm this year, as the welcome decline in prices for vegetables, fireworks, and flowers has made festive preparations significantly more affordable for everyone.
This past Sunday saw onions priced attractively at ₹20-25 per kilogram and tomatoes at just ₹15 – a stark and pleasant contrast to the exorbitant rates observed last year. Local traders and vendors credit this stability to a consistent influx of fresh produce from various regions, including neighboring Karnataka, combined with favorable weather conditions that ensured healthy supplies.
Even firecracker shops are experiencing a surge in sales, a significant improvement from last year when residents had to travel to distant places like Pallipattu, Vellore, Sivakasi, and Chennai just to find better deals. This year, traders have maintained fair pricing, partly influenced by GST 2.0 reforms, and are diligently providing bills for every transaction, fostering greater trust among customers.
Flower prices have also seen a noticeable reduction, especially when compared to the higher rates during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. Thanks to excellent yields from Kuppam and nearby Karnataka, popular festive flowers like chrysanthemum (chamanthi) are available at ₹160 per kilogram, marigold (banthi) at ₹60 per kilogram, and even roses are being sold at very reasonable costs.
To ensure fair trade practices, officials from various government departments have intensified inspections, diligently monitoring prices and actively working to prevent any instances of overcharging. This positive combination of consistent supplies, equitable pricing, and transparent billing has undeniably strengthened the confidence of both the traders and the delighted shoppers.