BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 13th October 2023: In a disheartening turn of events, despite regular market raids conducted by the administration of Sadar subdivision, unscrupulous traders continue to operate with impunity, exacerbating the already high prices of essential goods. Rice, vegetables, potatoes, and onions remain alarmingly expensive in the market, putting a strain on the budgets of the local populace.
As the festival of Durga Puja approaches, the market dynamics have become even more volatile. The prices of raw materials have surged, creating a ripple effect on the cost of daily necessities. The Sadar sub-division administration has launched a public market campaign during Shardotsav, aiming to address the mounting concerns of the citizens.
However, strict measures seem elusive, as the price of onions hovers around Rs 45, despite being under control in other states of the country. The main market has witnessed an unregulated surge in onion prices. Additionally, the cost of rice has witnessed a significant uptick over the past month, prompting administrative raids in an attempt to rein in the inflation.
During a recent operation in the Maharajganja market, officials observed a substantial stockpile of rice in the shop of a businessman named Swapan Saha. Shockingly, no documentation regarding the stored rice or the shop’s license could be provided by Saha. The administrative team has vowed to submit a report to the Sadar SDM, recommending action against the accused businessman.
Subsequently, the delegation visited the potato and onion markets to engage with traders regarding price control. While traders pledged to sell onions at Rs 38 to 40, some unscrupulous vendors were found selling them at exorbitant rates of Rs 45 to Rs 50 per kilogram. As a consequence, their stock was confiscated. It has become evident that when the administrative team intervenes, onion prices temporarily drop by Rs 5 to Rs 10 per kilogram, only to skyrocket once they leave the market.
Buyers lament this cat-and-mouse game, hoping for more effective and sustained measures from the administrative team. They suggest surprise visits, conducted discreetly, to catch errant traders off guard. The failure to curb price hikes has left many struggling to make ends meet as the festive season looms.
