Congress opens 'State Bank of Tomato' in Lucknow
The Congress party has opened a bank called 'State Bank of Tomato' in Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow, in a protest against the rising prices of the vegetable. People can get interests on deposits and also get vegetables on loan in the bank. "I have deposited 0.5 Kg tomatoes, will get 1 kg after 6 months," said a man.
It sounds like satire, but make no mistake: at a time when tomatoes have become forbiddingly pricey, the Congress Party has opened a 'State Bank of Tomato' in Uttar Pradesh's capital, ANI reported on Wednesday.This extraordinary development comes days after Indore wholesalers leery of tomato thieves requested - and got - security cover for their stock, according to news reports. Heavy rains in tomato-growing states have destroyed crop and affected transportation - a choke on supply which the Goods and Services Tax regime could have possibly exacerbated. Lucknow (UP): In a unique protest against the rising prices of the tomatoes, Congress opens bank called â??State Bank of Tomatoâ??. pic.twitter.com/lNpAaexgMuIn fact, denizens of major cities have had to dish out Rs 100 or more for a kilogram of the kitchen staple.Nevertheless, an official at the Indian Council for Agricultural Research has said he expects supplies from southern states to drive down prices in the next couple of weeks.For the time being, Lucknow residents can obtain interest on deposits at the Congress' State Bank of Tomato, and take the vegetables out on loan, just like money in an actual bank, ANI reported. I have deposited 0.5 Kg tomatoes, will get 1 kg after 6 months. I'm 103-year-old, never thought have to see this: Srikrishna Verma, customer pic.twitter.com/PlXdnSYGvK And if they want to keep their red gold out of the reach of covetous hands, they needn't worry. The news agency reports that State Bank of Tomato provides lockers too.-With inputs from agencies 