Grahak Suraksha Samiti (GSS) concerned over profiteering in rural areas

Special Correspondent

SILCHAR: Calamity makes no difference. It takes rich and poor, urban and rural areas in its spate. Covid 19 has shown its worst shape and it continues. Economy has been shattered and the poor are sufferin the most. The only hope in this crisis for them is humanity. But, Grahak Suraksha Samiti (GSS) of Cachar made a survey of the rural areas of the district and came out with tales of pain to show how even in this distressing situation profiteers and hoarders join hands together to deceive the poor and downtrodden.

In its repeated memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner of Cachar, the consumers' body has drawn her attention to the rising prices of essential commodities, black marketing, holes in supply and other irregularities. No effective steps seem to have been taken to check them. Biplob Kumar Goswami, general secretary of GSS, regrets to say that notifications issued by the administration are not made available to them to enable them to have proper communication and appraisal of the situation though their body is engaged in consumer movement since 1994.

Moreover, the district administration has not made available the contents of the notifications to rural people to assert themselves and get commodities at fixed price and in allotted quantities. In the given situation, the consumers, mostly in ignorance, are duped by unscrupulous traders who charge more than fixed prices. Several instances of irregularities, particularly in respect of grocery items, have been brought to their notice. As mandated, the traders of both urban and rural areas hardly display the price list or chart.

Taking advantage of the lack of monitoring by the district administration, GSS alleges the vegetable and fish vendors charge exorbitant prices from the consumers. Prices vary from area to area at the whims and wishes of the sellers. Another serious allegation as aired by the consumer body is that fair price shop dealers of Gumra and Jatinga have not distributed wheat flour to the consumers for the months of February and April. The Superintendent of Supply on being questioned said that it is being investigated. Nothing tangible has come out. The memorandum has been signed by Santanu Nandan Bhattacharjee, Advocate, GSS.   

Also Read: The Equinox organized Snap Era 1.0 mobile photography contest on nature