The Opposition has raised several criticisms regarding the Centre's policies for the rise in tomato prices. 1. Inadequate distribution and storage infrastructure: The Opposition argues that the government's failure to invest in proper distribution and storage infrastructure has led to supply chain inefficiencies. This, in turn, has resulted in significant post-harvest losses and price hikes. 2. Insufficient measures to control price manipulation: Critics argue that the government has not taken adequate steps to curb price manipulation by middlemen and hoarders. They claim that the lack of strict regulations and enforcement has allowed these actors to artificially inflate prices. 3. Ineffective agricultural policies: The Opposition contends that the Centre's agricultural policies, including its support for cash crops over essential vegetables, have contributed to the increase in tomato prices. They argue that greater emphasis on vegetable cultivation could help stabilize prices. 4. Inadequate buffer stocks: Critics highlight that the government's failure to maintain sufficient buffer stocks of tomatoes has left them vulnerable to price fluctuations. They argue that building and maintaining these reserves could mitigate the impact of seasonal variations. Overall, the Opposition argues that the Centre's policies have not effectively addressed the root causes of the rise in tomato prices, leading to hardship for consumers.