'Shops shutting down against AMSU's agitation should shut down forever'
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, September 23 2011:
Sharply reacting against the shopkeepers and business establishment in Imphal area who have shut down their shops showing resentment against the agitation initiated by AMSU to make essential items available at the rate sold before the economic blockade, AMSU asked these shopkeepers to shut down their shops forever.
Addressing media persons at a press conference held at AMSU head office, Dipanjit Ningthoujam, General Secretary, AMSU said that the organization is against all those self centered businessmen of the state who only think of their personal gains at the cost of the common people.
They are selling all essential goods at prices fixed as per their whims.
This can no longer be tolerated by the common people in general and AMSU in particular.
The government is not able to fix the price of essential commodities till today.
Until the government fixes the price of essential goods, the businessmen of Imphal area should sell their goods at the price which was sold before the commencement of the economic blockade.
Those shopkeepers who have shut down their shops complaining that they cannot sell the goods at the price which was sold before the economic blockade are hereafter advised that, if at all they have to close down their shops than they should close it forever.
They will not be allowed to open their shops again in future, he said.
He further went on to say that there cannot be any relation between economic blockade and price rise.
Before the economic blockade, goods laden trucks ferrying along NH 2 (Imphal-Dimapur) were made to pay taxes at 20 different check posts and also by UGs.
But now these goods laden trucks are being escorted with tight security arrangements along NH 37 (Imphal-Jiri) .
Here, all those taxes paid are being exempted.
The only extra charge they have to bear is a little extra expenditure on transport.
Under such situations where no taxes have been made to pay, the attitude of the businessmen to raise the price of all essential commodities is unacceptable.
AMSU cannot tolerate such profiteering at the cost of the common people.
AMSU will continue its agitation with greater force.
AMSU further demanded an open discussion on the issue of price rice with the government, transporters and businessmen.
The state government should at the earliest possible time fix the price of essential commodities.
If at all the prices of these essential commodities have to be increased by one or two rupees as a result of the transportation problem, the government should give subsidy and make available the essential commodities at the rate, as was, before the economic blockade.