Many appeal not to hike prices
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 06 2024:
Many organisations have asked shopkeepers/traders not to hike prices of essential commodities including roofing materials in this hour of natural disaster.
They pointed out that the people have been already enduring extreme misery on account of the protracted violent crisis and their misery have been compounded by the hailstorm and thunderstorm which lashed several parts of the State yesterday.
They have also urged the Government to provide necessary relief materials to all the affected people.
Categorically stating that traders/shopkeepers taking undue advantage of the natural disaster and exacting extra profits from the suffering masses is unforgivable, the Protection and Preservation Committee Manipur (PPCM) has warned that shops found hiking prices of roofing materials and other commodities would be banned permanently or at least for one year.
PPCM said that it has already launched a drive at Khwairamband Keithel to check if any shop is hiking prices of essential commodities.
It also appealed to the public to contact PPCM if any shop is found selling essential commodities including construction/roofing materials at inflated prices through mobile numbers 8119058601, 9774836063, 7085150972, 9366813406, 6909214805 and 8787356732 .
Saying that it would launch a drive to check price hike, the Federation of Civil Society Organisations (FOCS) Manipur has warned that shopkeepers/traders would be held accountable for their own action if they are found hiking prices.
FOCS has also urged the Weight and Measures Department to pay special attention to the matter and take up necessary legal action against the defaulting shopkeepers.
Though the devastating thunderstorm/hailstorm was a natural disaster, it was an outcome of large scale deforestation carried out by a particular community to make space for extensive poppy plantation, it said.
Appreciating the State Government's initiative to provide assistance to the people whose houses were damaged by the hailstorm/thunderstorm, the Manipuri Students' Federation (MSF) urged the Government to go to the affected people and do the needful instead of waiting for the people who are currently enduring extreme to submit applications or damage reports to SDCs/SDOs/DCs.
A random survey carried out by a team of MSF at Thangal Bazar, Chingmeirong Khongnang Ani Karak and Mantripukhri today found that shopkeepers/traders were selling tin sheets at a price higher than the normal price by Rs 200, said a press release issued by the student body.
The MSF further appealed to the public to inform them if any shopkeeper is found selling commodities including roofing materials at higher prices through mobile numbers 9863853826, 9366657948 or 7005414138 .
The Ethno Heritage Council (HERICOUN) has also appealed to all shopkeepers not to hike prices of constructing/roofing materials.
It urged the Government to provide immediate relief materials to all the families whose houses have been ravaged by the hailstorm.
It further asked the relevant authorities to provide compensation to all those farmers whose crops, poultry and livestocks have been destroyed/killed by the hailstorm.
Sharing solidarity with all the people whose houses and other properties have been devastated by hailstorm/thunderstorm on Sunday, the CPI Manipur State Council too has sought immediate attention into hiking prices of roofing materials particularly tin sheets at this hour of disaster.
The Government must also give compensation to those people/farmers whose crops have been destroyed by the hailstorm, CPI MSC said.
It rued that the scale of devastation could have been reduced had the Meteorological office notified red alert beforehand.
It maintained that the Meteorological office needs to be revamped and made more efficient.
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