GUWAHATI, July 20 � In view of the constant fluctuation of rates of essential commodities, which invariably mislead the common man regarding the actual prices and their availability in the market, the Kamrup Metropolitan District administration has issued statements about the daily stocks and prices of selected essential items in the open market at the Kamrup Metro.
It may be noted that whereas the soaring prices of almost all the essential commodities burnt holes in the pockets of common people, the situation was further aggravated by some unscrupulous traders, who quoted the rates as per their own sweet will. It was also noticed that an artificial crisis of some very important essential products was created in the market that led to unprecedented price hikes at places.
The list of essential items given by the Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs branch, however, shows no scarcity of daily needed items in the market of Kamrup district.
Super fine quality of rice is available in wholesale market at the rate of Rs 2,600 to 5,000 per quintal with the approximate retail rates of Rs 30 to Rs 54 per kg. Fine rice rate in bulk market is Rs 2,200 to 3,200 per quintal with retail rate varying between Rs 26 to Rs 36 per kg. Bulk rate of wheat is Rs 1800 to 2000 with its retail rates recorded between Rs 22 to Rs 24 in the market. Wheat flour (atta) rate recorded in wholesale market was Rs 2060 to Rs 2120 per quintal with retail rates of Rs 23 to Rs 24 per kg.
The administration list also incorporates availability of stock in the market. Total 21,418 packets of onion (each packets containing 50 kg) is available in the market. The Nasik/Indore variety is available in the retail market at the rate of Rs 25 to 28 per kg, Rajasthan variety at the rate of Rs 32 per kg, and Patna variety available at the rate of Rs 34 to 40 per kg in the retail market.
Creating ripples in the market a few days back, potato rates varied in the retail market from Rs 18 to Rs 30 depending upon the variety. Presently, Bengal, Agra and Shillong varieties of potato are available in Guwahati. The potato stock as on date was 7524 packets, each packet containing 50 kg. Total 89,745 packets of sugar is in the stock in Kamrup Metro with wholesale rate recorded today between Rs 3,300 to Rs 3,500 per quintal and retail rates being Rs 37 to Rs 40 per kg. The government data also mentioned that 51,889 packets of salt (50 kg per packet), 36,451 tins of mustard oil, 55,697 litres of kerosene oil etc., are available in the Kamrup market. The rates of these products are printed on the packets or are fixed by the government.
