KSU threatens to close down shops in Nongstoin market selling books at prices higher than the printed rate
NONGSTOIN: Exorbitantly priced textbooks in Nongstoin Market are burning a hole in the pockets of parents who have now voiced their concern against the arbitrary charge levied by book sellers.
Parents have complained that this year too, most of the school books were being sold in the market at prices much higher than the printed rates.
“I bought a book from one shop at Nongstoin Market and was greatly surprised to find that the actual price had not been applied and the book seller had increased the rate without understanding the burden of the poor families. This is a matter of great concern for us,” a parent lamented.
As complaints started pouring in, some members of the KSU Nongstoin Circle led by Davis Goldfield Wanniang visited some book stores in Nongstoin Market on Wednesday and found out that the complaints filed by the parents were indeed true.
The Union was shocked to know that some stores were selling the books at the actual printed price, while some were even selling the books at a cheaper price compared to the printed rate, but most of the book stores in Nongstoin Market were adding an extra Rs.5 to Rs.15 to the printed price.
When the KSU member enquired, the book sellers blamed the wholesalers in Shillong who gave them a margin of only 5 to 10 per cent for each book forcing the book sellers to sell the books at a higher price.
Reacting strongly against such fraudulent practices, the KSU warned the book stores to refrain from quoting higher prices to the customers.
“We are more concerned about the parents who are economically backward than the business problems of the book sellers” Wanniang said, while warning that stores who continued to sell books at higher prices would be shut down.
The Union also met West Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner S. Kharlyngdoh who assured to look into the matter.
Kharlyngdoh issued a stern warning to all the book stores in Nongstoin Market not to sell the books at higher rates and asked them to close their business if they were not satisfied with the profit margin they were earning.
Meanwhile, the KSU has urged the parents to buy books by paying the actual rate printed on the books and not what was asked by the book sellers.