AGARTALA, Oct 12 (TIWN): Market survey shows a sharp fall of profits this year in the Laxmi puja market here in Agartala. At the same time price hikes have hit the fruit markets, whereas in crackers and idol markets amid losses maintained same price tags like the last year. TIWN has surveyed two markets in last two days in Agartala : 1) Battala and 2) Gol Bazar markets but so far no profit trend was reported till 2 PM. Few sellers however said the business is average which may get a better shape in the evening. Talking to a cracker-seller he directly accused the economic fall which have hit common men hard and idol sellers also alleged the same. Even consumers accepted that the price remained same for them, but the sellers are at loss due to lack of demands. An idol seller said, demand of big-idols have sharply decreased in compare to the last year.The rates of the fruits were reported from Gol Bazar : Mangoes are sold at Rs. 300, Sweet lemons are at 100 for piece, Orange : 100 at 4 piece, Apple Rs. 80 kilo, Pomegranate Rs 200 kilo. Indeed all fruits are selling at skyrocketing prices ahead of Laxmi puja. Laxmi puja to be held on October 13. Economic crisis has hit the state whereas demand in Laxmi puja market at low.Creation of Laxmi idols is less this year in compare to the last year, said a seller.

The artists told media as the market is down, so demand is less. People’s economic condition is not stable and thus the stock of Laxmi idols to be less in compare to the last year, said the artists.

Also huge numbers of fruits were damaged due to Durga puja organizing clubs’ money extortions.

Many businessmen alleged in the Gol Bazar Agartala that various fruit carrying trucks were unable to come in time as clubs snatched the vehicle key demanding “chanda” for Durga puja.

Kumarghat, Manughat are the places where the money extortion was on peak.

Rotten fruits came in Agartala market as clubs stopped trucks in Durga puja donation demand for long 3 days, said the businessmen across Gol Bazar.