Consumers' Club Manipur urges Govt to monitor prices of essential commodities

IMPHAL, May 4 :
Consumers' Club Manipur has appealed to the State Government to keep monitoring the prices of essential commodities and other daily used products regularly and thoroughly check the price list orders before issuing for public awareness.
The COVID-19 pandemic, imposition of lockdown and restriction of free movement to contain the disease have affected all spheres of life and the State Government too has taken up steps to ease the hardships of the people   during this lockdown by   releasing the price list of  essential commodities from time to time, apart from   distributing subsidized or free rations to all.
Despite the Government's effort to check the price of essential commodities during this difficult situation, many vendors and shops across the State defy the orders, said a statement of Consumers' Club.
These unchecked and   uncontrolled activities are only compounding the woes of all consumers in the State, the statement added while  giving instances of items, packed and loose, being sold at excessive rates.
Commodities worth Rs 5  are allegedly sold at around Rs 7  while items which cost around Rs 9 are sold at Rs 15 at various shops, the club said urging the State Government to look into the matter and regularly monitor the ground situation.
Moreover, the State    Government and department concerned should take note whether price list is being put up at the respective wholesale vendors or shops, the club said.
The club also urged the State Government and     department concerned to  thoroughly check the price list of wholesale and retail items.
In order with prescribed price list issued by the State Government on April 23 last, the rate of 100 kgs of "Hawai Mangal Kangtak/ split pea dal" was Rs 7300 while in the same order, the rate of a kg of the dal was written as Rs 68, which is very     unfortunate and misleading, it alleged.
Consumers may contact the Consumers' Club Manipur in case of violation of consumers' right by shopowners and vendors, the statement     informed and appealed all shopowners to sell items not beyond the prescribed rate and provide bills/ receipts for every sale to avoid discrepancies.
In view of the hardships caused by the COVID-19 lockdown, the club has started making commodities available to the people at an affordable rate as listed in the Government orders through Bishnupur Branch Head  Office and the same will be done in Thoubal and other districts too, the statement continued.