By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Prices of essential commodities in the market continue to haunt consumers despite the number of measures being taken by the Union and the State Government. Fish which is a common diet in many households, has become unaffordable for many.
Even at Iewduh, considered the poor man’s market, fish is selling at exorbitant rates. For the common man certain category of fish remain out of reach. Hilsa, Tengra and Bowal are selling at rates unheard of.
A consumer who frequents Iewduh says the cheapest fish Rui is selling at Rs 100 a kg. According to a survey done at the fish market at Iewduh on Saturday, Hilsa is selling at Rs 380-450 a kg, Katla at Rs 160 a kg, Tengra at Rs 320 a kg and Bowal cost upwards of Rs 320.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, some consumers said the current trend in price rise is mainly driven by supply constraints whereas the steps taken by the Government is aimed at curtailing demand. These consumers said that while they could skip fish from their diets they cannot go without vegetables, the prices of which are also skyrocketing.
“Food is about choice but that human choice is getting affected due to inflation. “If at all we want to eat fish then Rui is the only option,” rued a consumer.
“People say that with the implementation of the pay commission, the salaried class would be able to combat prices and inflation. For this class only the cost of living has not impacted their consumption patterns for food and other consumer goods,” said a government employee.
The price of fish in other markets of the town is much higher than in Iewduh. Laitumkhrah market in particular is a nightmare for every shopper. A lawyer residing in Laitumkhrah said there needs to be a long term structure for controlling inflation and for that there has to be adequate supply in all sectors. “It is achievable provided there is will and honesty to tackle price rise, like any other political issues,” he said.
Meanwhile, a professor who teaches managerial economics in a city based college said that the spiraling food prices is largely due to faulty policies in regulating prices of food grains besides over-dependence on government agencies like FCI for food grain storage, pitiable transportation infrastructure between villages and buyer areas, the lack of cold storages for perishable items like vegetables, fruits and fish and the dismal food processing industries in villages.