GUWAHATI, March 14 � To resolve the mismatch in the wholesale and retail prices of essential commodities, the government authorities have fixed the prices of certain commodities for next 15 days that would be available in 638 fair price shops of Guwahati city.
A meeting held on Friday under the chairmanship of Shyam Mewara, Principal Secretary to the State Government, Food and Civil Supply Department and Consumer Affairs, among the trade bodies dealing in onion, potato, sugar, Guwahati Fair Price Shops Association, Greater Guwahati Retailers Association discussed the price structure of the essential commodities.
At the meeting attended by Deputy Commissioner Kamrup (Metro) and Kamrup, Commissioner, Guwahati Municipal Corporation, Chief Executive Officer, Assam Agricultural Marketing Board, Director FCS&CA, emphasis was laid to check the retail prices of potato, onion, atta, maida, sugar, masur, dal etc., considering the downward trend of wholesale prices.
The fixed retail price of potato is Rs 7.50 per kg, onion - Rs 12 to Rs 13 per kg, atta, maida, suji Rs 15 per kg, sugar Rs 36 per kg, masurdal (polished) Rs 50 per kg.
Instructions have been given to all fair price shops to fix cloth banners of conspicuous size displaying the name of the shops, commodities available and the rates. The GMC will ensure fixing of display boards, showing daily wholesale and retail prices in all 28 municipal markets of the city. The decision would come into effect from March 15, an official release mentioned.
GMC will convene meetings with all market committees and Supply Department field officers for compliance with decision on prices of above items.
It was also decided at the meeting that the GMC will provide space to Assam Agricultural Marketing Board for retail outlets for market intervention and stabilisation of prices of essential commodities in at least 20 municipal markets of the city. All supply field officers will be responsible in their respective areas of operation to ensure display of banners and prices of essential commodities. The Corporation would also ensure that all dealers and retailers of essential commodities will display price tags, stickers in individual containers and bags where such commodities are displayed for sale.
The Deputy Commissioner, Kamrup (Metro) will make public daily prices of essential commodities and list of retail outlets selling essential commodities at the fixed prices in the district website. As the prices of wheat products have been reduced, the price of bread would be reduced, the statement mentioned.
