Price rise: Favourite pastime for politicians turns out to be a windfall for traders

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The issue of price rise has literally become one of the favourite pastimes for the leaders of political parties and other organizations across the State. Whenever it happens, the ruling party uses all its resources to justify it and the Opposition leaves no stone unturned to hit the streets. The other non-political organizations chip in probably to grab the attention of the media.

Similar things are currently happening in the State. Price of onion has increased in the range of Rs 70 to Rs 80 per kg; potato (Rs 45 to Rs 60), French bean (Rs 180), tomato (Rs 80), brinjal (Rs 60) and cucumber (Rs 80). While the Congress, Opposition parties, the All Assam Students' Union (AASU) are in protests spree, the ruling dispensation in Dispur is justifying the issue of price rise by citing various reasons. State Food & Civil Supply Minister Phani Bhusan Choudhury, on Tuesday, said with the Assembly election 2021 fast approaching, the Opposition is trying to make it a political issue.

But reality is something different. Every year, the price of potato increases from the last part of September to the first part of December. When the freshly harvested potato reaches the market in December, the price starts falling. A similar theory applies for fluctuation of prices of vegetables in the same period every year. Tomato which is now selling at Rs 80 per kg will cost Rs 10 to Rs 20 in December.

It is also a fact that the government and district administration cannot control the prices of onion, potato and other vegetables. The prices completely depend on the demand-supply theory. The government could at least fix a maximum price slab.

But the majority of common people who are bearing the brunt of price rise do not know the reality. Under such circumstance, the drama of price rise by political parties continues and the traders continue to make a windfall in profit margins.

Also Watch: Miscreants ransack, burn down house in Nagaon, Assam

Also Read:  Government imposes stock limit on onion to moderate prices