ACOAM-Lup warns against price hike
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 11 2016:
The All Club, Organisation, Associa-tion and Meira Paibi Lup (ACOAM-Lup), Kangleipak has warned that wholesalers dealing in essential commo-dities should not hike prices nor should they close their shops in the backdrop of the ongoing economic blockade and demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes.
Speaking to media persons at their Lamphelpat office today, ACOAM-Lup working president Chandramani Khumancha said that normal life has been severely affected by the economic blockade imposed by the United Naga Council since the day of Ningol Chakkouba, the biggest festival of Meitei community.
Even though all the people have been enduring a miserable situation, the Government has been maintaining a deafening silence.
Petrol now costs Rs 150 to Rs 180 per litre in black markets.
Hiking prices of essential commodities at the whim of traders and wholesalers would not be tolerated at such juncture, Chandramani said.
The Government should strike an agreement with the UNC or make alternative arrangements to neutralise the blockade immediately.
The miserable situation has been further aggravated by demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes.
Cultivators are the worst affected group.
Even though citizens are allowed to withdraw Rs 2000 in a day and Rs 4000 in a week, this amount cannot cover the expenses of harvesting paddy.
At the same time, agricultural labourers are not accepting Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes.
There are very few bank branches in rural areas and most of them go to post offices but post offices have not yet opened the facility for exchanging or withdrawing currency notes, Chandramani said.
He then expressed keen desire for all banks to increase the number of counters/booths and open separate counters for senior citizens and disable persons.
In the meantime, many shops dealing in essential commodities and pharmacies have been closed, he decried.
ACOAM-Lup would launch a drive so as to ensure that all shops of Khwairamband Keithel dealing in essential commodities remain open throughout the day.
He also sought immediate attention of the Government towards illegal practice of exchanging Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes with currency notes of smaller denominations for lesser value.