The costs of vegetables across the board rose in Tamil Nadu markets, especially tomatoes, has been on the increase in the Tamil Nadu markets. Onions, potatoes, carrots are some of the vegetables which have seen a slight increase in prices.

On the other hand, tomato prices have shot up. In the wholesale market a case of tomatoes costs around Rs 30 to Rs 35 per kg while in the retail markets the price ranges between Rs 40 to Rs 42 per kg.

While the hike in the prices of tomatoes is in line with the yearly trend of high tomato prices in the late summer months of June and July, the extent of the hike has gone up due to increased freight costs.

The anomaly lies in the rising prices of other vegetables whose prices have until now remained fairly stable.

But ironically while the hike in the petrol price has been passed on to the consumers, thebenefits of the withdrawal of service taxes on the transport sector has been quietly swept under the carpet.