Port Blair, Dec. 6: The Non Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association has demanded stringent measures by A&N Administration to arrest the uncontrolled rise in prices of essential commodities. During the last 2-3 months, prices of vegetables and other essential items have been increased abnormally all over the Islands. In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary, the General Secretary of the Association Shri T S Sreekumar invited his attention to the suffering of common man due to spiraling prices of essential commodities and the failure of the Civil Supplies Department and other authorities to control the price rise.
Giving details of the price level of various items, the General Secretary of the Association informed the Chief Secretary that certain essential items like onion, potato and green vegetables are now beyond the reach of low paid govt. employees and workers. Common vegetables which were available at Rs 50 per Kg before lockdown period are now selling at Rs 80 to 200. The onion price is at Rs 80-95 at Port Blair whereas it is above Rs 100 at outstations. The authorities who are supposed to check the exploitation of consumers are inactive leaving them to the mercy of business interests. Some business groups having the monopoly of certain essential items including onion and potato are increasing the prices with overt and covert support of the officials of Civil Supplies Department. The Association appealed the Chief Secretary to order necessary action to protect the interest of common consumers. The Association has also urged the Administration to consider re-opening of ANIIDCO Green Shops and distribution of various essential items through PDS shops for the benefit of common consumers and market intervention at right earnest.