IMPHAL, April 19: A memorandum was submitted to Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, President & Vice-President, AICC on “skyrocketing prices of PDS items in Manipur” by the ethno-heritage council, HERICOUN (pro-people civil sociely organization) said an official statement. It sought the intervention of Sonia Gandhi & Rahul Gandhi, President & Vice-President, AICC into the subject while stating that essential commodities meant for common people under Public Distribution System (PDS) are selling in Manipur at exorbitant prices for the past one year. “Large scale siphoning off of PDS items has prompted unwanted elements to claim their share. The issue is now turning into a major issue leading to burning down of two loaded trucks, including one rice loaded truck, a driver shot death at NH-37 on fateful night of 17th April, 2013. Subsequently a 48 hours total general strike began in Manipur from 19 to 21 April,” it said.
The statement added that in the case of PDS rice,the common people are compelled to buy PDS rice at Rs.850 per 50 kg bag when its actual price is below Rs.500 per 50 kg bag.” In Manipur, sugar is an inevitable item in any cultural or religious ceremony. However, the Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (CAF & PD) Department has miserably failed to provide sugar to common people through PDS or at affordable prices. The department is selling out sugar to businessmen leading to price rise to Rs.40-45 per kg when its actual government price is Rs.13 per kg,” it said.
It went on to say that It is disheartening that common people are buying kerosene at Rs.60-70 per liter with a major portion of the kerosene quota of the state being diverted to oil pump owners to dilute with petrol and diesel for higher profit.