Prices of building materials soar in Lakhimpur

A CORRESPONDENT

LAKHIMPUR, May 8: A section of dishonest businessmen in Lakhimpur have hiked the prices of commodities as per their whims and fancies, thereby making common people suffer. In this regard, they are taking advantage of Goods and Services Tax (GST) after the Union government introduced it across the nation. The prices of building materials have sky-rocketed in the district and a state of comprehensive failure on the part of the district administration can be seen with regard to controlling the price hike.

It is alleged that the section of dishonest businessmen have been hiking the prices of the building materials in order to earn more materialistic benefits since the GST was enforced. They determined the hiked price within a night, which seem to be higher than that of other parts of the State. For example, the price of the TMT bar/Qt in Lakhimpur before the enforcement of GST was Rs. 4,500 to Rs. 4,800 according to their quality. But after the enforcement of GST, the price is Rs. 5,200 to Rs. 5,500. Similarly, the price of cement per packet was Rs. 370 to Rs. 400. But the price has been hiked up to Rs. 400 to Rs. 450. The price of GIC sheets per bundle as per its quality has been hiked to Rs. 300 to Rs 500.

In addition to these, the prices of sanitary and decorative items in the district have also soared. The affected people have demanded the government and the district administration to control these price hikes as soon as possible. “If the GST has caused price hike of the building materials along with other essential commodities, the Union government is pushing the common people to a miserable condition by enforcing the complex tax system,” said the conscious section of people. They further demanded the departments concerned to review the market system and to fix justified prices of all commodities.