Lucknow, Jan 7 (IANS) The ongoing nationwide strike of transporters has jacked up prices of essential commodities in Lucknow even as the Uttar Pradesh Truck Operators' Federation (UPTOF) said they would maintain the supply of essential goods.
While the rates of fruits and vegetables have gone up 20-35 percent, the wholesale market is also witnessing price hike, vendors said.
According to the Lucknow Vegetable and Fruit Merchant Association (LFMA), in the wake of the strike, price of one kilogram of onion has increased to Rs.16 from Rs.6. Similarly, the price of potatoes shot up to Rs.16 from Rs.12 a kg.
Prices of pulses, which are largely brought to Uttar Pradesh from Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, have also gone up. Masoor dal, which was available at Rs.1,965 per quintal Tuesday, went up to Rs.1,975 Wednesday, according to the Lucknow Dal and Rice Miller Association.
The state government has directed the transport department to provide a 15-day inter-state permit to local permit holders' vehicles in order to maintain smooth supply of essential commodities, officials said.
Nearly 50,000 trucks in Uttar Pradesh are off the roads since Monday in response to the nationwide indefinite strike called by the All India Motor Transport Congress, demanding a further cut in diesel prices by Rs.10, reduction in tyre prices and no toll tax.
UPTOF members have threatened to intensify their strike if the government fails to meet their demands.
'If the deadlock over slashing diesel rates and reduction in tyre prices continues, we will intensify our protest that will affect the supply of LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) and petrol also,' UPTOF secretary Shyam Gupta said.
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