SHILLONG: Overcharging by groceries and shopkeepers during the relaxation of curfew hours are yet to be addressed by the government.
During the couple of curfew relaxations in the city last week, public complained that they were overcharged by grocery stores in various localities.
Complaints of essentials such as wheat, sugar, potatoes, onions, bread, bakeries and others being overcharged by traders were received from Laitumkhrah, Polo and Laban.
According to the shoppers, wheat was sold at Rs 40/kg, sugar Rs 45/kg, potatoes Rs 30/kg, onions Rs 50/kg, which indicates that more than Rs 10 was overcharged.
While informing that there is no display of price list of essential commodities, the residents from these localities said that lack of cash memos and traders’ insistence on quick purchases during curfew relaxation hours is benefitting them.
The worst part is that government is always seen shifting the onus on the Dorbar Shnong – which in turn is not able to control the situation.
Besides groceries, even vegetables are sold at higher prices in the markets of the town. The newer local variant of green peas was selling at Rs 70 kg on Saturday whereas almost all other vegetables were sold between Rs 60 kg and above in most markets except Jail Road and Laitumkhrah – where different astronomical prices are being charged by vendors.
The worst sufferers are the daily wagers who are facing acute financial constraints and they have even pointed to a recent statement issued by the KSU (Farmers and Consumers Protection Cell) to refrain from overpricing essential commodities. To a query, the affected public from these markets of the city observed that such unfair trade practices are flourishing despite warnings because there is no inspection by the state government unlike as seen in neighbouring Assam and elsewhere.
There are opinions from the public that here the state government only relies upon public complaints to initiate action whether it is overcharging by grocers, denial of essentials to ration card holders by fair price shops, scarcity in supply of LPG cylinders while discounting the fact that the government can always initiate suo-motu action.
Many even observed that the state government has made locality Dorbar Shnong a party to the functioning of the markets in the city so that it may be easier for them to pass the buck.
