Dweep Tulika

Port Blair: Chairman of the Campaign Committee of the Andaman and Nicobar Pradesh Congress Committee (ANTCC), TSG Bhasker , has urged the Andaman and Nicobar Administration to take immediate steps to address what he described as a shortage and abnormal increase in the prices of essential commodities across the Islands. In a letter addressed to the Director, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs , Bhasker said prices of several essential commodities had increased significantly over the past few months, placing an additional financial burden on consumers. According to Bhasker, the increase has affected a wide range of items, including grains, sugar, cooking oil, vegetables, fruits, other perishable goods, medicines, household necessities and appliances . Potato prices cited as example Highlighting what he described as the severity of the situation, Bhasker said the price of potato had reportedly reached as high as ₹180 per kg . He said such increases were particularly affecting mi...

  Sri Vijaya Puram | August 23, 2026 Household grocery budgets are facing fresh pressure as prices of some essential commodities, particularly sugar and edible oils , have increased in recent weeks. However, the increase has not been uniform across all essential food items. Sugar has emerged as one of the most notable areas of concern. Recent reports indicate that sugar prices in India have risen amid tighter supplies, prompting the Centre to take measures to improve availability, including allowing duty-free imports of raw sugar. Edible oils have also remained expensive. Government data indicates a significant increase in edible-oil prices, while recent market reports show particularly high prices for sunflower and other cooking oils in several states. Some pulses have recorded more moderate increases. Recent government data showed increases in the prices of urad dal , tur dal and masoor dal , while moong dal recorded a relatively smaller movement. For consumers in the ...

Campbell Bay   | August 19, 2026 BJP State Secretary K. Paramasivam has raised concerns over the prolonged shortage of LPG cylinders in Campbell Bay, Great Nicobar , and urged the authorities to ensure regular supplies to residents of the remote island. Speaking on the issue, Paramasivam said the last LPG consignment had reportedly reached Campbell Bay on April 24, after which no regular supply had been received. He said around 240 cylinders had subsequently been transported by a Navy vessel , with another consignment of approximately 240 cylinders expected to be sent, but maintained that the quantity was insufficient to meet local requirements. According to Paramasivam, Campbell Bay requires around 3,000 cylinders to adequately address the shortage. He attributed the disruption primarily to transportation difficulties, noting that vessels serving the area, including Monostar and Shakti , were undergoing dry-dock and survey-related work. Paramasivam said advance planning co...