Quantum of business has fallen, KCC tells Daimary

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Nov 22: The demonetization of 500 and 1000-rupee notes has a negative cascade on the quantum of business in Assam. Kamrup Chamber of Commerce (KCC) has informed State Food and Civil Supplies Minister Rihon Daimary of this.

The minister today attended a meeting at the Circuit House in the city where the prices of essential commodities in the aftermath of the demonetization were reviewed. Present at the meeting were representatives from the KCC, Kamrup(M) in-charge DC Barli Sarma and officials of the Food and Civil Supplies, including its Secretary Ratul Baruah and Director Dhirajjyoti Kalita.

The representatives of the KCC let Daimary know that the quantum of business came down in the State in the aftermath of the demonetization. For the rise in prices of essential commodities like rise, flour, pulses etc., the consumers have to bear the brunt. Daimary urged the wholesalers and retailers to cooperate with the government to face the current situation arising out of cash crunch. The minister asked the officials of the Food and Civil Supplies to see that no wholesalers and retailers charge higher prices on the pretext of high transportation cost. The minister is also worried over the rise in prices of essential commodities like rice, wheat, gram, etc.         

With a view to cushioning the blow in the event of any food crisis in the State, Daimary told the wholesalers to keep adequate stock of food grains and other commodities. He asked the officials of the Food and Civil Supplies to ensure that wholesalers and retailers hang their respective price lists in their business establishments so as to let the consumers know them. He also asked the officials of the department to see that no middlemen between wholesalers and retailers could take the advantage of the current crunch of hard cash for which the consumers would have to bear the brunt.  All present are the meeting assured the minister of the fact that they would work in tandem with each other so as to face the situation in the aftermath of demonetization. At the end of the meeting, the minister asked the officials of the Food and Civil Supplies to carry out drives so as to bring about awareness among the consumers on prices of all commodities.