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Monday, November 5, 2012

Trade body lambasts Govt over price rise

The Assam Chamber of Commerce (ACC) on Sunday held the Government responsible for the unprecedented prices of all essential items, including foodgrains in Assam and alleged that the Government’s lack of willingness to end the syndicate system was one of the major factors behind the soaring prices.

Addressing media persons here, chairman of ACC, Rupam Goswami said that price rise of the essential commodities has hit the common man hard.

“Though price rise is a national phenomena but in our State the increase is on the higher side,” said Goswami, pointing out that the syndicate system being operated by certain unscrupulous and greedy individuals/groups has contributed to the woes of the consumers. Goswami said that the syndicate system which is a bane of the society creating monopoly in trade should be ended immediately.

“The government has knowledge about those running the syndicate system. We have repeatedly requested the State Government to disband the syndicates, but nothing tangible has been done. We demand of the Government to act, otherwise ACC with the help of the general public will put an end to this trade malpractice,” warned Goswami.

On the other hand, Goswami called upon the Government to set up Mandis at important locations so that procurement and distribution of vegetables are done in a systematic and controlled manner. “Another reason for the rise in prices of vegetables is the involvement of middle man and the high transportation cost,” added Goswami.

Urging the Government to strengthen the Public Distribution System (PDS), the ACC said that the poor people must benefit through the PDS.

The ACC has decided to hold a Jatiyo Abhibortan in the month of November next year to chalk out a road map for a vibrant and economically powerful Assam. Different strata of the society including the intelligentsia, writers, sports people, industrialists, business men, artistes etc will be involved in this endeavour.

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