Imphal, October 06 2010: Half a month after the lifting of economic blockades on the national highways, people here yet to get any relief from hiked prices of essential commodities.

Prices of essential commodities in Imphal which were hiked during the blockades are yet to come down.

Scarcity of petroleum products prevail as as gas stations are yet to be open on a regular basis.

Most of the oil filling stations still remain closed.

Six months after the United Naga Council (UNC) lifted its economic blockade which it imposed from April 12, freight trucks started plying on the Imphal-Dimapur section of NH-39 to ferry essential commodities.

This was in defiance of the decision of the Transporters' and Drivers' Council (TDC).

The regular movement of freight trucks resumed 17 from September 19 but prices of essential commodities, instead of falling back has risen to new heights.

A market survey in Imphal indicated that at present cost of a kg of first class rice is Rs 28, second class Rs 24, Moong Dal Rs 100, Arhar Dal Rs 80, Onion Rs 20, Potato Rs 20, Sugar Rs 40, Mustard Oil (Tagore) (p/ltr) Rs 80 and Mustard Oil (Engine) (p/ltr) Rs 90 .

During the economic blockade period the prices of these essential commodities were Rs 26, Rs 24, Rs 100, Rs 70, Rs 20, Rs 18, Rs 35, Rs 35, Rs 90 and Rs 90 respectively.

The price index showed a hike in the price of first class rice by Rs 4 a kg after the lifting of the blockades.

The price index in April, before the economic blockades was imposed was Rs 24 per kg of 1st class Rice, Rs 17 per kg of second class rice, Rs 80 for Moong Dal, Rs 80 for Arhar Dal, Rs 19 for Onion, Rs 10 for Potato, Rs 40 for Sugar, Rs 85 for Mustard Oil (Tagore) per litre and Rs 86 for mustard oil (Engine).

For petroleum products, apart from the non opening of the fuel filling stations on a regular basis, the price of petrol per litre is Rs 70, and Diesel is Rs 55 per litre.

When contacted officials of the oil filling pumps, could not give the exact reason behind the non-opening of pumps on a regular basis but they quoted less supply by the IOC authorities in Imphal.

IOC officials were not readily available for comment.

Price index of essential commodities in Imphal market

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