"There is no hike in vegetable prices. It's only the off-season fruits and vegetables such as green vegetables and early crops like lady finger and pumpkin whose prices are on the higher side," the study prepared by Delhi Agricultural Produce Marketing Board (DAPMB) said.

The report which was submitted to Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit two days ago has suggested vigilance on the retail market, saying the retailers were selling vegetables and fruits at higher prices.

"We have recommended to the government that it should control the prices in the retail market through the food and supplies department as it had been doing some years back," Brahm Yadav, chairman of DAPMB told PTI.

The report has taken account of the price trend of vegetables and fruits for the last ten days of March comparing it with the same period the previous year.

Attributing rising prices of tomatoes to the vegetable being exported, the Board has sought a ban on its export.

"Prices of tomatoes are on the higher side mainly because of its export. We have asked the state government to talk to the Centre to temporarily ban the export of tomatoes," he said.

However, Yadav said the situation pertaining to the price of tomatoes is likely to improve within the next week when fresh supplies arrive from Bangalore.

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