The rise in tomato prices can have several potential consequences, and the Centre's policies have faced criticism from the opposition for various reasons. Here are the points: 1. Inflation: Tomato is a commonly used vegetable, and when its prices rise, it can lead to overall inflation in consumer food prices. This can impact household budgets and decrease consumer purchasing power. 2. Affordability: The price increase may make tomatoes unaffordable for low-income households, affecting their nutritional intake and food choices. 3. Impact on businesses: Restaurants, food processing industries, and street vendors heavily rely on tomatoes. The price rise can negatively affect their profitability and may even result in business closures or job losses. 4. Farmer distress: While higher prices can benefit tomato farmers, if production costs are not managed efficiently, some farmers may suffer losses. Inadequate policies may aggravate the existing farmer distress in the country. The opposition criticizes the Centre's policies for various reasons, including: 1. Insufficient supply management: The Centre has been criticized for not effectively managing the supply and demand of essential commodities like tomatoes, resulting in price fluctuations. 2. Inadequate infrastructure: Lack of proper storage and transportation facilities can lead to wastage of perishable goods, contributing to price volatility. 3. Farming policies: Opposition parties argue that the Centre's agricultural policies do not adequately address the needs and concerns of farmers, leading to inconsistent production and market inefficiencies. 4. Removal of trade barriers: Some lawmakers oppose the removal of trade barriers, which can allow tomato imports to flood the domestic market and impact the livelihood of local farmers. Overall, the rise in tomato prices and the Centre's policies have invited criticism due to their potential consequences on inflation, affordability, businesses, and farmers.