NEW DELHI, Oct 17: Tomato prices in the retail markets of the national capital continue to rule high in the range of Rs 60-80/kg despite the government’s measures to boost tomato puree supply via Mother Dairy’s Safal outlets.
Tomato prices have come under pressure in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) due to supply disruption owing to heavy rains in producing states like Maharashtra and Karnataka.
As per the data maintained by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, the average retail price of tomato was at Rs 60/kg on Thursday, up from Rs 45/kg on October 1, this year.
However, the key kitchen staple was being sold at up to Rs 80/kg in the unorganised sector, depending on the quality and locality. The prices have remained firm at higher levels in the last one week despite the central government intervention.
On October 10, the centre had asked state-run Mother Dairy to sell tomato puree at Rs 25 for 200 gram pack (equivalent to 800 grams of fresh tomato) and at Rs 85 for 825 gram pack (equivalent to 2.5 kilos of fresh tomato) through its 400-odd Safal outlets.
“Fresh tomato taste is different from puree. We don’t use puree for daily cooking purpose. Tomato prices have gone up and we are buying in small quantities,” said a consumer Meena Agarwal who buys vegetables from a Safal outlet in Jangpura Extension here.
Similar sentiment was shared by consumers in other parts of the city.
Experts said not many people are used to tomato puree and will take a long time for consumers to shift to processed ones suddenly in times of price rise.
Even ‘dried onions’ has not gained much acceptance. To some extent, ‘garlic-ginger paste’ has picked up well, they added.
Meanwhile, the centre has asked tomato producing states to augment the supply to deficit regions, including Delhi, thereby improving availability and moderating prices.
Tomato producing states have been regularly advised to interact with agricultural produce market committees (APMCs), traders and transporters to ensure regular supply.
The same is being reiterated to four major tomato producing states namely, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh, to ensure prices normalise and supply is augmented immediately.
Normally, tomato production is around 20 million tonnes a year. Tomato is a year-long crop and the country has enough supply to meet its requirement. (AGENCIES)
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BIZ-BATA
Bata to add 500 more stores in next 5 years on franchise model
NEW DELHI, Oct 17:
Footwear major Bata India on Thursday said it will strengthen its presence in the domestic market by adding 500 stores in next five years, focusing mainly on smaller markets.
The company has identified tier II, III and IV cities where it has plans to broaden its sales network through the franchise model, Bata India said in a statement.
Bata has already identified 180 such markets in smaller cities pan-India, where the company is seeking franchise partners to expand its presence beyond metro cities.
“The company is betting big on franchising and already has over 150 franchise stores across the country. Bata plans to open 500 stores in the next 5 years,” the statement added.
According to the latest annual report, Bata India has pan-India retail presence with 1,415 stores across cities with 3.07 mn sq ft of retail space.
Over the last two years, Bata has increased presence in smaller towns and reinvigorated its portfolio to offer more contemporary, fashion and casual styles for the younger generation.
“India is one of the most important market for Bata globally and we aim to make Bata accessible to the fashion forward customers in tier II-IV smaller cities via the franchise stores,” said Bata India CEO Sandeep Kataria.
He further said:”We have seen strong demand for the new products, which is driven by multiple campaigns featuring celebrities from Bollywood and cricket world.”
Bata India had revenue of Rs 2,928.44 crore in FY 2018-19 and had recorded a net profit of Rs 329.66 crore in the said period.
Established in 1931, Bata India is a part of the Bata Shoe Organisation.
It is the largest retailer and manufacturer of footwear in the country and has sold 47.25 million footwear pairs in the last fiscal. (AGENCIES)
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SPO-BCCI-TRAINING-NCA
Dravid supervises training of aspiring cricketers
from 16 countries at NCA
NEW DELHI, Oct 17:
National Cricket Academy (NCA) Director Rahul Dravid is supervising a training programme of boys and girls from 16 Commonwealth countries, organised by the BCCI in conjunction with external affairs and sports ministries.
At the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London on April 19, 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India will organise training for boys and girls under the age of 16, giving them an opportunity to train with some of the best cricketers in India at the NCA.
They are currently hosting participants (18 boys & 17 girls) from Botswana, Cameroon, Kenya, Mozambique, Mauritius, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia, Malaysia, Singapore, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Fiji and Tanzania.
The one-month long camp organised from Oct 1-30 is being conducted at the NCA in Bengaluru, where some of the best coaches in the country are coaching the trainees under the supervision of Rahul Dravid, Head Cricket ? NCA.
“A customised training program has been made for each participant. The challenge has been to assess each of these Under 16 aged cricketers coming from varied backgrounds and countries, establishing their level of cricketing competence, designing appropriate programs and then delivering them,” a BCCI said in a release.
“Language and cultural barriers have been overcome, with the passion for cricket which all of the trainees have in ample measure.”
Participants have also been provided with hotel accommodation, cricket kits, nutrition, strength and conditioning facilities and allowances to ensure their stay is comfortable and fruitful. (AGENCIES)
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SPO-PRIYA-SPONSOR
Priya Punia signs up with Fast&Up
BENGALURU, Oct 17:
India woman cricketer Priya Punia has signed up with Fast&Up, a company that produces nutrition supplements and drinks.
Priya had made her ODI debut earlier this month against South Africa by scoring an unbeaten 75 to power India to victory.
Talking about her association with Fast&Up, Priya said: “The variety of products that the brand offers addresses different issues for various athletes. I hope the Fast&Up research and development team continue working on new products that will help boost recovery of athletes like us.”
The 23-year-old was awarded the player of the match award in her first ODI.
“It was my ODI debut so I was obviously a bit nervous. I was playing slowly at the start of my innings because I was taking time to get set in the middle,” said Priya, who made her international debut against New Zealand in a T20I earlier this year.
“After my partner got out I had to maintain the run rate and I was ready to start playing my shots by then. That is what I did.
“I’m happy that I performed well during my debut and that I was there till the last and also that my team won. It was even better because my father was there and it was a great experience,” she added.
The 23-year-old had joined an elite list of Indian women cricketers who have scored a half-century in their debut which include Mithali Raj, Veda Krishnamurthy, Anju Jain, Karuna Jain etc.
Fast&Up is in partnership with over 100 Indian athletes which include Indian cricketer Mayank Agarwal, India’s highest ranked table tennis player Sathiyan Gnanasekaran, boxer Sarita Devi and footballer Iain Hume. (AGENCIES)
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