HT Correspondent
SIVASAGAR, May 5: Soaring prices of all essential commodities have made the lives of the common people very miserable here. Despite protest demonstrations from all left and democratic parties and trade unions over the issue, there appears to be no attempt to curb the price rise from the government.
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CPI Sivasagar district council on Thursday carried out a demonstration against the price rise in front of the deputy commissioner’s office.
CPI workers, led by veteran leaders Dharma Baruah and Kanak Gogoi, severely criticised the BJP government allegedly for tying up with the big capitalists while being indifferent to the plight of the common people. The party demanded a roll back in petroleum prices and reduction in GST on essential commodities. The agitators sent a memorandum to the chief minister of Assam through the DC, Sivasagar.
On March 28 and 29, CPI, CPM, INTUC, and other parties carried out demonstrations in Sivasagar in support of the All India Strike against price rise.
Meanwhile, showing apparent indifference to the plight of the people, the Supply minster Ranjit Dass reportedly said that barring milk, the price of all other essential commodities in Assam as of today is much lower than in the rest of the states in India.
Atul Bora, MLA Dispur on the other hand advised the people not to consume costly mustard oil and to go for boiled food instead.
Sivasagar DC Megha Nidhi Dahal informed on Wednesday that the local administration can do little to control prices of essential commodities that are imported from other places barring the local products. Price of Engine mustard oil has gone up to Rs 227 per litre from Rs 190 two months back; of Dhara mustard oil from Rs 185 /Rs 190 to Rs 210 per litre. Price of Asirbad atta from Rs 58 (2 kgs) to Rs 87. Similarly the price of refined oil on an average has shot up from Rs 170 to Rs 225 per litre within two months.
Informing about the plight of the tea labourers who are not on any payroll, Ram Nayak of Geleki said that most of the poor people have stopped buying lentils and mustard oil due to the sharp rise in the price of these commodities.
“Usually, the common people use mustard oil for cooking, as hair oil, and for body messaging, but they no longer can afford to buy it. Even for those that are on garden payroll with Rs 205 as daily wage, buying mustard oil has become a luxury few can afford. The other matter of concern is the unbearable price rise of all vegetables. Long bean, squash, pointed gourd, ladies fingers, ridge gourd, etc., cost Rs 100 to Rs 120 per kg in Sivasagar. Now, most people prefer to buy broiler chicken rather than vegetables and lentils from the market,” he added.
