Now, price hikes in medicines & construction items hit masses

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The masses are presently facing problems due to steep hikes in the prices of medicines and various construction materials. This latest issue has come close on the heels of the unabated recent spurts in prices of fuels, cooking-gas cylinders and almost all essential items.

The prices of almost all medicines have been rising during the last two to three months. As of date, a strip of 'Shelcal-500' is selling at the rate of Rs 108.70. Just two to three months back, this strip was sold at Rs 98.90.

Simliar is the case with Pan-40 (earlier price: Rs 138; present rate of Rs 149 per strip); Reclimet (earlier price: Rs 143; present rate: Rs 192.32 per strip); Bevon Cap (earlier price: Rs 109; present rate: Rs 120.75 per strip).

Replying to queries on the reasons for the spurt in prices of many medicines in the city, a medicine seller said, "The medicine stockists get the new consignments from the manufacturers. But the new consignments are always at increased MRPs (Maximum Retail Prices). Of course, some pharmacists do offer some concessions to customers."

Another medicine retailer explained, "It is interesting to note that medicine prices never get reduced after there is a rise in their MRPs. However, the prices of many other items do get reduced even after a rise in their prices and vice versa."

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS: As of date, the prices of various construction materials including rods, sand, stones, cement, and bricks are being sold at very high prices. The cascading effect is being felt by the person wishing to build his dream house and also the builders.

During the last two to three months, there has been a rise in the prices of various construction items.

A market survey by The Sentinel revealed that the price rise of these items is as follows: rods (Rs 6,000 to Rs 7,000 per tonne; sand (Rs 500 to Rs 700 per cubic metre); stone (Rs 500 per cubic metre); bricks (Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 per truck carrying 2,500 bricks) and cement (Rs 10 to Rs 15 per bag).

Assam Real Estate & Infrastructure Developers' Association (AREIDA) sources said, "We are quite concerned at the manner in which the prices of various construction items are spiralling upwards. This has posed a problem for the real estate developers as well as the common people. We had approached the government a number of times to check the rising prices of the construction materials. The repeated reply from the authorities concerned has been that in a free economy, the role of the government is rather limited."

Another source posed, "Why are the cement companies with factories in Assam not providing their cement at lower prices to their customers?

"However, each such cement-manufacturing unit enjoys subsidies and various other incentives from the State government."

The source added, "The AREIDA complained to the CCI (Competition Commission of India) against a few cement-manufacturing companies in Assam in this regard two years back. The matter is sub judice."

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