AGARTALA, Oct 25 (TIWN): In a shocking display of JUMLA Era’s cashless economy, Public curtailed spending, Laxmi idols were even sold this year on Wednesday night afternoon at throughawayRs. 10 pricein Agartala Math Chowmuhani to Udaipur markets causing heavy losses to poor artisans. In Battala, Gol Bazar till 7.30 pm last night idol sellers were seen sitting with Laxmi idols for sale, indeed a sad scene for businessmen. Fire cracker sellers also faced heavy losses due to lack of customers. Same losses were seen for the customers who had to manage amid tight budget and less consuming of commodities. Heavy price hike has hit vegetable markets on Laxmi Puja day at the capital city Agartala. Other subdivisions are also not behind in price-rate. However, this has been a trend in state that on festival day markets prices will run on the fire and this year is too not 'exceptional'. Ridge gourd price has gone Rs. 60 per kilo, whereas cucumbers are sold at Rs. 50 and cabbage at Rs. 80.Other vegetables prices have also been high.

Other commodities prices are also high but business is on down specially in the fire cracker market. Idol markets have however made business but people are preferring small idols rather than the big sized to buy. 

During survey in Laxmi puja markets at Gol Bazar, Agartala the businessmen alleged that like previous years this year customers are very less in numbers. From fire crackers to fruit shops all left in deplorable shape with very low profit. 

Laxmi puja in Bengali community is observed with candles, joys, fire crackers. Markets have been stored with various items, idols, fruits, fire crackers etc centering the puja, but this year poor families are facing acute crisis as MGNREGA and other works almost stopped in state. 

In compare to this year other years the crowd from rural areas heavily observed in town areas, whereas this year rural people, specially the poor class remained less in compare to other years.

The middle class families also are celebrating Laxmi puja with limited budget. As this is the last festival of this month households are buying food items amid tight situations.