By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 22: Nongkrem MLA and VPP president, Ardent M Basaiawmoit on Friday demanded exemplary action against “extortion” which raises the cost of basic goods in the state.
Raising a supplementary query in the Assembly, Basaiawmoit said the prices of essential commodities are increasing almost every day and this is due to the “extortions” taking place in the state.
“These businessmen in order to recover their money have to increase the price of their commodities,” he said.
In his reply, Food Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Minister, Comingone Ymbon said the price of essential commodities is increasing not only in the state but all over India.
He said insufficient food production, increased fuel price, climate change, insufficient rain and other factors have contributed to the price rise and inflation.
He said the district vigilance committee is mandated to check price rise and that is why the department is keeping a tab on Iewduh, Laitumkhrah and Rynjah markets by using a GPS enabled mobile app.
“The department has instructed the districts/sub-divisions from time to time to carry out raids and inspections to prevent hoarding and black marketing and to increase the prosecution and conviction rate and provide the outcome of such raids,” Ymbon said, outlining the steps being taken to combat price rise.
