Arbitrary price hikes define Thangal, Paona Keithel
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 23 2021: Taking advantage of the regulation imposed on opening of shopping outlets in Thangal and Paona Keithel and closure of Ima Keithel for 10 days to avert Covid infections due to large gathering in one location, certain shopkeepers are selling goods at hugely inflated rate.

It is reported that prices of pulses, potatoes and other essentials varied from shop to shop, with some shops selling Arhar dal (Hawai Mairongbi) even the rate of Rs 150 to 160 per kg and potatoes at Rs 20-25 per kg.

Arbitrary price hikes define Thangal, Paona Keithel

To confirm the jump in prices of essentials, The Sangai Express visited many shops opened at Khwairamband Keithel and found prices of Arhar dal varying from shops to shops as some sell it at Rs 120 per kg while others sell the same at Rs 150 to 160 per kg .

This disparity in prices of essentials among shops is also the same for other edibles such as onion, potato, dry chilly, split peas (Hawai Kangtak), and black lentil (Sagol Hawai) .

It is said that the price of garlic has jumped to the extent of Rs 130 per kg in some shops while that of dry chilly, split peas and black lentil are being sold as high as Rs 230 per kg, Rs 100 per kg and Rs 200 per kg respectively in many outlets.

This reporter also saw no shops displaying the price list of goods fixed by the Government, and on asked about this, certain shopkeepers at Nagapamal claimed that there is no such instruction from the Government to put on view the price list.

According to one of the market-goers, many shops in the Bazar area are selling goods at their desired rate, taking advantage of the regulations imposed on shops.

This reporter also came across a number of shops at Alu Galli which are supposed to close as per the rotational basis conducting trade discreetly by opening shutters halfway.