Fruit costlier ahead of Navratri: In Kashipur, bananas up to ₹60–70 a dozen, apples ₹150–180 and guava ₹100 a kg

Ahead of Sharadiya Navratri (from October 11), fruit prices in Kashipur have gone up by ₹10 to ₹50 a kg. According to fruit seller Dharamvir Singh, bananas have risen from ₹40 to ₹60–70 a dozen, apples from ₹120 to ₹150–180 a kg and guava from ₹80 to ₹100 a kg. People who fast during Navratri use more fruit for worship and food, so demand stays high for all nine days. Seller Monis says fruit is arriving costlier from the wholesale markets, while customers say prices are being raised deliberately because of Navratri. Homemakers have asked the administration to control fruit prices. (Source: Amar Ujala)