Oken meets traders
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 19 2013:
Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Minister M Okendro today held a meeting with businessmen against the backdrop of soaring prices of essential commodities.
The meeting held at the Minister's office chamber located at Secretariat North Block was attended amongst others by Commissioner, CAF&PD, Y Thamkishore Singh, Director M Yaiskul Meitei, businessmen of Khwairamband Keithel Keithel and representatives of Consumers' Club, Manipur.
Shop owners present at the meeting pointed out that the addition of VAT on rice is responsible to a great extent for the hike of the price.
They also brought the matter of some businessmen shipping rice to Myanmar.
The Minister assured the shop owners to bring the matter of exempting VAT on rice to the CM who is also the in-charge of Finance.
While assuring the delegates that illegal transportation of food items to Moreh would be curbed, the Minister also instructed the shop owners to put on display the price of commodities for easy public access while also urging the concerned authority to take measure to overcome the rising price of essential commodities.
Saying that the National Food Security Act would be introduced in the State soon, M Okendro further said that the Govt has a plan to introduce the same by first week of January next year.
He urged the shop owners to work in tandem with the Govt in fixing the price of commodities.