The public discussion programme was organised by the Protection and Preservation Committee Manipur (PPCM) and it was moderated by senior journalist Ahongshangbam Mobi.
PPCM convenor Elangbam Johnson presided the programme.
Speaking at the gathering, PPCM Karam Sunil said that prices of all essential commodities including rice, dal, sugar, kerosene etc have been surging continuously in the markets of Manipur.
At the same time, people are not given PDS items like rice to the full specified quantities in time.
Asking who is controlling prices of essential goods in Manipur, Johnson asserted that traders and shopkeepers should not allowed to fix prices of goods at their whims.
The Government should not remain silent when the prices of all essential commodities are being hiked continually.
PPCM would not tolerate such unethical practices, he added.
Bishnupur and Senapati District Supply Officer W Deben remarked that people raised an uproar in when 1965 when the price of rice reached Rs 2.50 per Kg. The uproar resulted in fatal casualties. Now one Kg of rice costs Rs 35. Ironically people do not say a word.
There is a price fixation committee in the State but it remains non-functional.
Human Rights Law Network executive director Meihoubam Rakesh noted that no one has ever taken up the issue of price rise through legal channel.
No traders or shopkeepers can sell goods at prices above the ones fixed by the Government as per the Essential Commodities Act.
But the Government of Manipur is not fixing prices of goods, Rakesh said.
Even though there should be adequate numbers of godowns for storing goods as per the Essential Commodities Act, there are neither enough godowns nor is the Price Fixation Committee functional, said former president of Consumers Club T Phulchand.
Transporters and Drivers Council Manipur vice-president Th Ibohal remarked that high transportation charge is one major factor for goods being costlier in Manipur.
Manipur University Assistant Professor Chinglen Maisnam said that none of the fair price shops are seen open even though Government record says that there are 2551 fair price shops in the State.
The Government of Manipur should implement the Essential Commodities Act effectively apart from constituting a price monitoring committee, Chinglen said.
Elangbam Johnson said that PPCM would not remain a silent spectator when prices of essential commodities are hiked whimsically.
Recommendations adopted at today's discussion programme would be forwarded to all relevant authorities and due pressure would be exerted, said Johnson adding that one can expect certain changes after a few months.
Source: The Sangai Express
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