A CORRESPONDENT
HAFLONG: Concerned about the price rise in Haflong market, Dima Hasao Deputy Commissioner Paul Barua called a meeting with the representatives of the Haflong merchants' association and officials of the Food and Civil Supplies (F&CS) department in presence of Jayant Singh, Dima Hasao Superintendent of Police, at the conference hall of the DC's office on Monday.
Mentioning about several complaints received from people and organizations about the sudden surge in price of several products during this second wave of pandemic, DC Barua strictly ordered the merchants to monitor such shopkeepers and retailers.
Complaints have been received about the undue advantage of the COVID-19 situation taken by some of the shopkeepers and retailers selling at rates exceeding the maximum retail price (MRP) or overcharging several times to cash on the surge in demand due to the pandemic scare.
Under such circumstances, the Deputy Commissioner has ordered every shop to prominently display the price list as per the official directives, failing which, the administration will be compelled to take strict action against the owner. Requesting the Haflong Municipal Board also to work in coordination with F& CS and Market Association in this matter, DC said that such whimsical price hike would further aggravate the people who were already reeling under the COVID situation.
Further, taking note of the swarming of people at market areas to purchase the organic village produce sold on market days at Haflong market, DC ordered that the villagers should be allowed to sell the products at the length and stretch of the market roadside allowing space for better social distancing for the buyers. For this, the Haflong Municipal Board will look into the matter.
Instructing the officials of the line department to be vigilant about the unreasonable price hike in the district, the DC ordered for strict compliance in interest of public service. The meeting was attended by ADC Lalrohlu Khiengte, Assistant Commissioner and DTO i/c Ibon Teron, and other officials.