Staff Reporter
Guwahati: Revellers are less likely to fork out exorbitant amounts for milk and meat products on Magh or Bhogali Bihu this year if the SOP issued by the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department for vigilance on market prices of milk and meat products is implemented properly.
For this purpose, an office memorandum (O.M.) was issued by the Principal Secretary to the Government of Assam’s Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department addressed, among others, to all District Commissioners and District A.H. & Veterinary Officers in the state.
The O.M. states that an exorbitant price hike in the milk and meat products during the festive season is generally noticed. Keeping this in view, the following directions are issued for strict vigilance in the market: (i) All the District Magistrates will keep strict vigil on the market price of milk, meat, and other dairy products in coordination with the Food & Civil Supplies Department, FSSAI authorities, District Municipal Bodies, and Veterinary Officers so that the exorbitant price hike by the traders is controlled; (ii) It is also directed to keep vigilance on the adulteration of commodities, especially the milk and milk products; and (iii) Samples may be drawn from suspected traders for analysis by the appropriate authorities, and necessary action may be taken.
It should be mentioned here that milk products like curd and cream are considered indispensable on the occasion of Magh Bihu, also called Bhogali Bihu, whether for enjoying ‘jalpan’ at home or serving guests, along with traditional delicacies like ‘pitha’ and ‘laru.’ Moreover, meat products like duck, mutton, etc. are hot favourites for the Uruka feast. Some unscrupulous traders try to take undue advantage of this fact and try to fleece the customers by charging exorbitant prices or adulterating the milk products.
Significantly, the demand often outstrips the supply of these items, giving a free hand to the traders to hike the prices of their goods, to several times the usual price.
The SOP on milk and meat products was issued on the lines of one issued earlier by the Fishery department for monitoring and controlling of fish prices.
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