Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 29 2010:
Demanding that the Government should ensure availability of all essential commodities in adequate quantities at appropriate prices within five days, the Forum for Social Harmony has threatened to launch various sorts of agitation in case the Government fails to dispense with its duties.
Speaking to media persons at HERICOUN office today, spokesperson of the forum, Laishram Joy Khuman asserted that the Government of Manipur should be held accountable for the acute shortage of various commodities and the sky-high prices though it has been 10 days since ANSAM suspended economic blockade on both NH-39 and NH-53 .
In case the State Government fails to ensure that all essential commodities are available in adequate quantities at appropriate prices within five days, the forum together with the people of Manipur would launch various modes of agitation.
The Govt cannot remain a blind eye to fuel oils being sold in every streets at prices of one's choice while all oil pumps remained shut, Joy Khuman said.
The decision of the Govt to provide urea at Rs 750 per bag while the MRP of urea is Rs 265 per bag is tantamount to shutting off urea to farmers .
Fertilizers should be made available to farmers at reasonable prices in adequate quantities, he asserted.
Taking serious note that one Kg of rice costs Rs 26 to 28 and one re-filled LPG cylinder costs Rs 1200 to Rs 1700 whereas the price of potato has shot up to Rs 28 to 30 per Kg, Joy Khuman pointed out that the people of Manipur have been facing a serious crisis.
Observing that the prices of fuel oils have declined to some extent, the forum appealed to all transporters to revise the current fares which were hiked in the wake of the acute scarcity of fuel oils.
It also appealed to all traders not to take exploit of the situation in pursuit of huge profits.