SHILLONG, Sept 17: The opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP) has asked the state government to look into rampant price rise in the state, especially relating to essential commodities, on Monday.
Shillong MP Ricky AJ Syngkon in a letter to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, the MP who also holds the post of VPP general secretary urged the government to monitor and regulate the functioning of toll gates and checkpoints along the highways which he said significantly attributes to the increased cost of goods in the state.
The MP also requested the government to come up with a fair price mechanism which can protect the interest of both the producers and the consumers from unjustified profiteering. This, he said, can ensure that farmers are not exploited by middlemen.
The party also stressed on the need to strengthen the department of food and civil supplies to enforce government-fixed prices and address the widespread violations of these price controls.
Urging the state to address the transportation challenges faced by heavy-loaded vehicles carrying goods (including essential commodities) with respect to the restriction of movement caused by the damaged Umiam bridge, Syngkon said these trucks are forced to take longer routes which is also contributing to the sharp rise in prices.
“Given that Meghalaya is dependent on supplies from outside the state, the government must urgently explore and create shorter alternative routes to ease the movement of goods,” Syngkon stated in the letter.
“If these steps are not taken in a timely manner, the VPP will be forced to take further action, including continued agitation, to demand justice for the people of Meghalaya,” he warned while urging the government to swiftly act to address these concerns and work towards providing relief to the citizens of the state.
On September 13, the VPP had staged a one-day sit-in-protest against the unprecedented price rise in Meghalaya. According to Syngkon, the VPP strongly believes that such alarming rise in prices is exacerbated by various factors, including the presence of multiple toll gates on the state and national highways, and the failures of authorities to prevent exploitation of farmers and consumers etc.
