Shops running out of essential items

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Nov 15 : Shortage in supply  of essential commodities due to the blockade along Imphal-Dimapur road has led to the scarcity of potato and onion in the market, pushing many shopkeepers operating in and around Khwairamband Keithel to the brink of shutting down their establishment.
The Sangai Express went on an inspection round in and around Khwairamband Keithel and the Nagamapal stretch to check the stock of potato and onion in different shops today.
Majority of the shops were found out of potato and onion stock during the inspection.
This scarcity comes amid the price hike of essential commodities thereby greatly  destabilising the local market.
Speaking to this reporter, Jagat Shah, a shopkeeper, said that his shop was running out of commodities due to the blockade along Imphal-Dimapur road.
Saying that the commodities he procured before the imposition of the blockade will be exhausted soon, he added that he won't have any other options than to close his shop if the blockade continues.
Jagat maintained that he sells potato and onion which he procured before the imposition of the blockade at Rs 50 and Rs 70 (per Kg) respectively.
Saying that potato and onion are perishable and they cannot be kept at the godown for a long time, Jagat Shah reiterated that he will close his shop if the  blockade continues for another four-five days.
Another shopkeeper at Nagamapal said that his shop ran out of  potato and onion stock about 5 days back.
Saying that he has only some bags of garlic, he added that he sells the garlic at Rs 220 per kg.
He also said that he won't have anything to sell if the blockade continues for another four-five days.
This shopkeeper also interacted with some consumers and according to them potato is being sold at Rs 70-Rs 95 price range (per kg) and onion at Rs 160-180 price range (per kg).
Shops in localities were also found selling potato and onion at inflated rates.
It may be mentioned that the price of potato and onion issued by the CAF&PD on October 4 is Rs 40 to Rs 43 and Rs 67 to Rs 70 respectively.