India: The Modi government has made a PR stunt out of a real issue

With less than a year remaining until the elections, the Narendra Modi government is facing a significant round red obstacle that is both financially burdensome and concerning – tomatoes. The price of tomatoes has skyrocketed to Rs 250 per kg, rendering them over 200% more expensive than petrol (Rs 97 per liter in Delhi). Reports indicate a staggering 445% inflation in tomato prices, making them unaffordable for the average citizen. Tomatoes have essentially become a precious commodity or red gold, forcing individuals to choose between buying 2 liters of petrol or 1 kg of tomatoes. It's not just tomatoes. In the past month, it has become increasingly difficult for the working class in India to afford vegetables. Peas, ginger and other summer vegetables like pumpkin, gourds (lauki, tori, karela), and okra, along with limes, have all experienced sharp hyperinflation. This dire situation has prompted an RBI study to warn that the surge in tomato prices could disrupt the trajectory of ...