Meghalaya: Mukul trains guns on govt over price rise of essential commodities
SHILLONG:
Former Chief Minister and Opposition leader, Dr Mukul Sangma on Saturday hit out at the NPP-led government in Meghalaya over the “uncontrolled” spike in prices of essential commodities across the state.
Addressing media persons after a Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting in Shillong, Sangma accused the government of ignoring the plight of the people and refusing to come up with measures to tackle the price rise in the state.
“You (govt) have to understand that people have limited reserved cash and they cannot be subjected to this kind of uncontrolled price rise,” he said.
The CLP leader further stated that while prices of essential commodities have shot through the roof, the farmers, on the other hand, are suffering as their produces are being sold at a very low price.
“In the month of April and May, the price of fresh turmeric was only below Rs 10 in the villages – but when it comes to purchasing essential commodities, the irony is that – the prices have spiked in terms of 50 per cent,” he said.
Lashing out at the government for “not taking cognizance” of this problem, Sangma asked, “Whose job is it to regulate the market pricing? Is it complete manipulation of the market through understanding or otherwise? It is difficult to reconcile with this kind of uncontrolled price rise which is showing only increasing graph?”
Referring to increased GST rates on certain items, the former CM alleged that the purpose of ignoring the situation was “intentional” to gain profit.
“If the price goes up, the tax also goes up. Then you have good GST collection. How? By allowing unchecked, unregulated and uncontrolled price rise across the nation and the state. We are looking at a situation where people are helpless,” he said.
The CLP leader has called for an investigation into the “uncontrolled” price rise of various commodities, including building materials like Cement, adding that despite having many cement factories in the state, “the price escalation has never stopped since the last two years. Who is benefiting from this uncontrolled price rise?”
(Edited by Ibankyntiew Mawrie) | (Image: File Photo)
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