Maharashtrians are now paying 50 pc more for essential commodities than they did five yars back, according to the state economic survey.

The rise was observed mainly due to increase in prices of rice, wheat, tur dal, moong dal, potato, onion and sugar, the survey, tabled in the state Legislature, said. The report also stated that the price rise has affected people in rural areas the most.

"About 50 per cent and more hike was seen in tur dal, moong dal, potato, sugar, jaggery and onion prices. About 25 to 50 per cent rise was observed in prices of urad dal, masur dal, garlic, turmeric powder and up to 25 per cent of hike in rice, bajra, milk, ghee, eggs and fish," the survey said.

The drastic increase in essential commodities last year adversely affected food prices in rural part of the state, recording a rise of 23.5 points, two points higher than the urban parts, it said.

"The Consumer Price Index (CPI) i.e. prices of retail transactions, for rural areas in April, 2009 was 149.3, which continuously increased and reached 172.8 in December, 2009, thus recording a rise of 23.5 points which was the highest in last five years," the survey said.

The situation was not different in urban areas, where in April, 2009 CPI for was 144.1, which increased to 165.9 in December, recording a rise of 21.8 points, it said.