By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Fish prices in the city markets have skyrocketed in recent times leaving the fish lovers with little option but to do away with fishes.
According to a survey conducted across various markets in the city, it is learnt that the commoners are unable to cope with the rising prices of fishes. The lowest of them all, Rohu sells from Rs 80/kg onwards in Iewduh which is the cheapest market for fishes. Incidentally, Rohu is the only fish which is more or less evenly priced in almost all the markets across the city.
A resident of Pine Mount Ridge said that Rohu remains the only fish which is unaffected by inflation.
Winter special Ilish (Hilsa) is selling at an exorbitant price of Rs 400/kg even at Iewduh. The price goes up even more in other markets of the city. In Laitumkhrah Municipal Market Hilsa is selling at Rs 550 a kg though the smaller regional varieties are selling at Rs 240 per kilo in Laban and at Rs 280 at Laitumkhrah. An elderly fish-lover said, “At Rs 500 a kg I can no longer have a go at my favourite Hilsa now.” A resident Rilbong Zigzag said that recently he had to buy Hilsa for Rs 500/kg for his daughter’s first birthday from Iewduh.
The larger-sized prawns are selling at Rs 480/kg in Laban and Laitumkhrah whereas it is sells for around Rs 360/kg in Iewduh. Another winter special, Koi, is also selling at the same rates in both these markets. “Even Tengra (smaller variety) is selling at Rs 320/kg in Iewduh. I have stopped buying fishes now,” said a private accountant.
Many fish consumers said that there are some fish vendors who operate on the roadside in some residential localities selling fishes at exorbitantly high prices.
But there is not enough variety of fishes available in the market anymore, observed many fish consumers. “Customers don’t have a lot to choose from now,” said a consumer who was in Iewduh Market to buy fishes.
Fish vendors, on the other hand, said that the price of Hilsa would go down in the near future.
Meanwhile, many residents said that the government should come forward with schemes for development of fish ponds and fish breeding facilities in order to foster local fish production.
“Many local fish dealers here have invested in fish ponds in far-off Andhra Pradesh. Why can’t the government replicate this formula here in the State?” questioned a fish consumer.