MIDNAPORE, Oct. 16:
Flowers, particularly the much-sought after lotus, are
likely to be scarce this season which is a cause of much
worry for the puja organisers.
The flower gardens of Midnapore East, the district which
grows the maximum number of flowers and is also source of
supply of flowers statewide have been washed away in recent
floods. Situation is equally bad in Midnapore West,
Howrah and Nadia, other major flower producing
districts, where flower plants have perished due to excessive
rain.
As a result, lakhs of flower cultivators and traders
in the state are off festive spirits as they have little
to sell in the circumstances. Moreover, they have not yet
been given the compensation money for the loss of flower
orchards in floods and natural calamities in 2006 and 2007
though funds have been placed in this regard with the district
authorities long back.
Flower markets at Kolaghat, Kesapat, Gosainber and
Panskura are now practically dry with fewer flowers
for sale. For this, the prices of all varieties of flowers
are sky high.
One hundred pieces of lotus now sell at Rs 700 to Rs 800
against Rs 100 to Rs 150 in the corresponding period
last year, nightqueen sells at Rs 140 a kg against
Rs 70 to Rs 80 last year, rose sells at Rs 300
(100 pieces) against Rs 60 to Rs 70, china rose
Rs 100 (1000 pieces) against Rs 30 to Rs 40,
aparajita at Rs 25 a kg against Rs 5 to Rs 10,
marigold Rs 15 a kg against Rs 5 and dopati Rs 20
a kg against only Rs 2 to 3 last year.
There may be further hike in prices during the four puja days
beginning on Mahasaptami.
However, prices of lotus may fall if supply from Orissa is
beefed up, district Phool Chashi Samannyay Committee
leaders said.
Lotus would have been plenty in supply if there were ample
facilities of cold storages in the district for preserving
them.
A cold storage -cum-flower complex, built in Panskura just
on the eve of the 2004 Lok Sabha elections with
much fanfare at around Rs 1 crore, has been lying defunct
six moths after its inauguration because of substandard quality
equipment being used in it.
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