A CORRESPONDENT
LAKHIMPUR: The Dhemaji district unit of All Assam Students' Union (AASU) flayed Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma-led State Government, alleging its comprehensive failure with regard to controlling price rise in essential commodities.
Regarding the issue, all the regional committees under Dhemaji district AASU, viz— Dhemaji headquarter, Pachim Dhemaji, Gogamukh, Bordoloni, Jiadhol, Sripani, Machkhowa, Sissiborgaon, Demou, Simen Chapori, Dekapam, Jonai regional committees—staged extensive protest programme (Bikshyobh) following COVID-19 protocol on Monday in their respective jurisdiction across the district.
By initiating the agitation programme, the organization demanded the State Government to control sky-rocketing prices of the essential commodities and fuel products like petrol, diesel, liquid petroleum gas (LPG). Attending the protest programme, initiated by Dhemaji regional unit of AASU near Swahid Bedi at Police Station Tiniali, Dhemaji district AASU president Dipak Sarmah slammed the State Government in strong terms.
"The common masses have to suffer a lot due to sky-rocketing prices of the essential commodities and petro-products at a time when the adverse situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has collapsed the very backbone of the State economy. The wage earners and many other people have to pass their days in extreme misery to make both ends meet after losing their jobs due to COVID induced lockdown. In such crucial time, the State Government headed by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has comprehensively failed to control the price rise. It is seen that the prices of essential commodities and fuels are higher than any other place of the State. The exorbitant taxes on fuels have impacted the prices of other commodities. The dishonest businessmen have hiked the prices of food items at their own whim. The Supply Department under the State Government exists in name only, not in action. At present, the Union and State governments are turning a deaf ear to the miserable plight of the common people," Dipak Sarmah said while criticizing the State Government on the issue.
On the other hand, AASU central committee organizing secretary Manturaj Baruah demanded the State and Union governments to initiate steps at the earliest to control the rise in the prices of fuels and essential commodities or to face intensified public protest in the upcoming days.
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