Not learning from experience

Food and Civil Supplies department failed once again to control prices of vegetables, potato and onion after the lockdown was announced for Guwahati (Metro) on June 26. The Food and Civil Supplies supply department did not learn from experience. When the lockdown had been announced by the Prime Minister from March 24 throughout the country, vegetable prices as well as prices of potato and onion increased overnight in Guwahati and the entire State because of panic buying.

The Food and Civil Supplies department should have strictly monitored in the markets of Guwahati
 

city as soon as total lockdown was announced so that unscrupulous vendors could not increase the prices of the essential vegetables, potato etc at their own whims. The buyers had no option. Everyone wanted to quickly buy and move out from the crowd as no social distancing could be maintained in market places. The department swung into action only on Sunday when most of the people had purchased the vegetables at exorbitant prices. Now the question is – if such a situation prevailed in the capital city, what could one expect to happen in the other parts of the State? Through your esteemed daily, we request the government to enquire into the matter and take action against the departmental staff who failed to curb the price hike during the period causing unnecessary harassment to the people.

Bikash Barpujari,

Beltola, Guwahati.