Imphal, October 19 2009: The unavailability of different fish varieties has left many shoppers at Khwairamband Bazar and various other fish outlets to return home desperate on Monday.

Fish stalls and markets were today largely dominated by the 'grass carp' variety.

Large number of people thronged Khwairamband Bazar and various other fish outlets in Imphal to buy fishes for the auspicious Ningol Chakouba festival, which falls tomorrow.

As the inaugural function of the Fish Mela at Hapta Kangjeibung ended today, fish mongers have bought the fishes and rushed them to Khwairamband Bazar for resale.

Fish vendors have sold the 'Rou' variety of fish at Rs 130 per kilogram while Grass Carp variety of fish was sold at Rs 120 per kilogram.

The two varieties have dominated the markets and outlets today with the selling rate of grass carp a little higher.

Imported Rou variety of fish was sold at Rs 120 per kilogram.

Ningol Chakouba will be celebrated all over the state tomorrow with cuisine flavor and emotional bond.

One of the prominent festivals of Manipur, Ningol Chakouba is a great occasion of family reunion.

It is celebrated with much enthusiasm and joy in the parents' house of married women.

Exchange of gift and a 'love' feast will mark the celebration at each household.

Fish, being the favourite dish of the Manipuri people, it was sold like hot cakes today despite some few people complaining of the price.

A fish vendor, Ema N Tombi of Khwairamband Bazar said the easy availability of the grass carp is the reason for the large scale sale of the variety.

She said, the vendors have purchased the fishes - Rou and grass carp for Rs 120 and Rs 110 per kilogram respectively and resold them at Rs 130 and Rs 120 respectively with a profit of only Rs 10 per kilogram.

Home grown fish varieties like Pengba - the state fish, and Ngaton, were sold at Rs 450 and Rs 400 per kilogram respectively.

Other variety like silver carp was sold at Rs 90 per kg.

'Kuree' was sold at Rs 130 per kg while Common Carp was sold at Rs 120 per kg.

Meanwhile, the Consumers' Club, Manipur and Weight and Measure department have tough time checking the weighing machine and use of unauthorised weighing apparatus.

The drive, which was launched since yesterday, was said to have detected many unauthorised apparatuses.

Sanajaoba, a customer who came to the Khwairamband Bazar today was disappointed to see the fish lanes being dominated by the Grass Carp.

He however has to contend with buying Grass Carp since the farmers could not produce enough quantity of other fish varieties.

"I have to celebrate the Ningol Chakouba with Grass Carp nevertheless," he said.

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