Associations concerned with rapid rise in price of rice, labels it artificial rice scarcity
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 05 2019: Denouncing the artificial scarcity of rice in the State and demanding the availability of super fine rice and indigenous rice at cheaper rates, Socialist Women Association (SWA) and Young Communist League (YCL) have warned to take up stringent actions against those involved in the rice scarcity if the situation is not solved at the earliest.

Speaking to media persons at the office of SSUM today, SWA general secretary S Bijenti said that it is high time to deliberate on the rapid rise in price of rice and to find the very root cause of this problem which has been causing immense grievances to the people, especially the farmers and the poor people.

She stated that the reason why the people are facing artificial scarcity of rice is neither because of the nonavailability of rice in the State nor the failure to supply the rice to the public following any increase in demand, but the cause of this problem is the work of some people with vested interest.

As the price of rice is soaring sky high, even before the paddy saplings are planted, one can only imagine what the rate is going to be after a few months, she remarked.

Bijenti pointed out that it is the responsibility of the Government to let the public know where the super fine rice is being imported from and the reason for the increase in the price of the rice.

The super fine rice, which is supposed to be available at the cheap rate of Rs 3 per kg, is being sold at the rate of Rs 32 to Rs 35 per kg in the market, she said adding that the State Government should explain the reason for these lapses.

Meanwhile, the Government should also clarify how the rice produced in the State are being sold at the rate of Rs 46 to Rs 50 per kg in the market.

She stated that relieving these untold grievances from the lives of the poor people of the State is the right thing to do at present.

Although farmers put all sweat and hard work in producing the most delicious and nutrient-rich rice, they often don't even get to taste it.

Stating that most of the farmers are left to eat the super fine rice even after harvesting their crops, she further added that only a little to no amount of rice is left for the farmers after the harvest season.

This is the untold truth which is known only to the farmers and not the leaders of the State, she remarked while adding that rice farming has become a profession/source of livelihood which is only time consuming with no income and profit at all.

All the stakeholders and the Government are ignoring and sweeping such issues under the carpet which is quite unfortunate, Bijenti added.

Alleging that the farmers have been robbed off their necessary benefits/materials including the rice seeds by rich and high profile individuals, she noted that the maximum number of farmers do not receive any advantage from farmers' organisations as certain criteria have been set up for the farmers if they want to avail the benefits including the seeds.

Bijenti further stated that the deprived families are living from hand to mouth and are daily wage earners and one can only imagine how they are going to survive if the problem of artificial scarcity of rice is further put on their head.

She stated that Young Communist League and Socialist Women Association will not remain mere spectators on this matter while demanding that the authority concerned should take up strict actions against those involved in robbing the poor off their right to survive.

She further demanded the State Government to form a policy to make the super fine rice available at the starting rate of Rs 3 per kg and to make the indigenous rice cheaper.

Bijenti further warned that SWA and YCL are set to serve fitting punishment to the persons involved for the artificial scarcity.

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