GUWAHATI, July 4 - Ahead of the ongoing 14-day total lockdown, skyrocketing prices of all essential commodities in the city�s markets proved the inefficiency of the State food and civil supply department.
Even though everyone is urging the authorities concerned to take stern steps against price hike, a source in the Kamrup (Metro) district administration said that due to the lack of adequate number of staff in the district food and civil supply department, it will not be possible to control the situation in the coming days.
�It is not possible to control the markets of Guwahati with only seven inspectors and seven sub-inspectors. The district food and civil supply department of Kamrup (Metro) is still running with its old pattern of sanctioned staff strength. Surprisingly, many other districts of Assam have more staff in comparison to Kamrup (Metro). The present staff strength was for Guwahati Metro City and it has not been revised even as the city got upgraded to a district,� the source said.
At present one inspector has been entrusted to look after the markets of six to seven municipal wards. The source said that there is a need to double the staff strength of the department immediately to control the markets of Guwahati. The department also has no assistant director in this district.
�Ahead of the ongoing lockdown a large number of middlemen took advantage of the situation as many people came out for panic buying and the department was completely in the dark about the decision. Consequently the city dwellers witnessed skyrocketing of prices of all items,� the source added.
�Amar Dokan� to open: Meanwhile, officials of the food and civil supply department informed that only a few fair price shops or �Amar Dokan� will be allowed to open on July 6 and 8 in the city during stipulated time periods.
Every such shopkeeper will have to strictly obey all rules and violation of the same will lead to suspension of the trade licence. The department will also arrange doorstep delivery of essential items if it gets permission from the higher authorities.
�Guwahati has around 765 fair price shops. If we allow every shop to operate then it will create another panic situation. Again, it is not possible to keep proper vigil at all the shops simultaneously,� an official said.
At present, the department is mainly focusing on controlling the prices of potato and onion. The official said that now onion will be available at Rs 29 per kg and potato will sell for Rs 30 per kg.
