Rail link cut, floods spark hike in prices of essentials

SHILLONG: The prices of essential commodities in the capital city have seen a substantial jump in the past few months with some traders citing floods in Bihar and subsequent snapping of rail links to the North East as one of the prime factors behind the trend.
Potatoes in Iewduh (Bara Bazar) are being sold at a rate of Rs 15 to Rs 20 per kg while price of onion is anywhere between Rs 40 and Rs 45 per kg.
Tomatoes are being sold at the rate of Rs 40 and Rs 50 per kg while cucumbers are selling for Rs 20 and Rs 25 per kg.
Some shopkeepers says the prices of essential commodities have steeped since railway connectivity to North East has been cut off for some days because of heavy rain and floods in Bihar.
The traders opine that the prices of essential commodities would dip if Shillong was connected
with goods trains as essential commodities in the state are currently being transported by trucks.
Railways are the cheapest form of transportation of essential commodities and transportation of the items by trucks cost almost double, they say.
Some wholesalers on the other hand say that the situation in Shillong was slightly contained owing to the availability of essential commodities in Assam and other North-eastern states or else there would have been mayhem.
A shopkeeper said most of the local produces were exported to other states and there the products are sold at a very high rate. “If local production can be kept for local consumption, the situation would be definitely better,” he said.
Meanwhile, according to data compiled by the District Level Price Monitoring Committee, the price of potato as on June 21 this year was Rs 15 per kg and the rate remained the same in July. However, the price increased to Rs 20 per kg on August 22.
Similarly, the price of red onion was between Rs 20 and 25 per kg in June and July. However, it shot up to Rs 42 per kg in August.
The price of sugar per kg in June and July was Rs 49 but it increased to Rs 53 last month.
The price of loose mustard oil in June and July stood at Rs 90 per litre but increased to Rs 92 per litre last month.
Even the price of Andhra rice has increased from Rs 34.50 to Rs 37 per kg in the past three months while the prices of common as well as Lahi rice stood at Rs 25 and Rs 27 respectively since the past three months.
Speaking on the matter, East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner PS Dkhar said the committee monitored the price of essential commodities and reviewed the prices at regular intervals. “Besides, it also ensured the availability of stocks in the district if there was any shortage of supply from other parts of the country. The committee can intervene if there is any overcharging by the shopkeepers,” Dkhar said.