Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday stated that the state government is closely monitoring market prices and will not tolerate any unfair increase in the cost of essential commodities. He directed officials across all districts to take stringent action against violators, including the cancellation of trade licenses.
Review of Price Monitoring Mechanism
While reviewing the price monitoring mechanism for essential commodities in the state, the Chief Minister instructed officials to take strict steps to ensure market stability and prevent any abnormal price rise. “I have instructed officials in every district to keep a tab on prices of items and take stringent actions against any defaulter,” Sarma said.
Directives to District Monitoring Committees
During the review meeting, Sarma instructed deputy commissioner-led district monitoring committees to convene meetings within the next three to four days to assess the prevailing market situation and ensure compliance with government directives. He also directed authorities to make the display of retail and wholesale prices mandatory at all shops to maintain transparency and prevent arbitrary pricing.
Action Against Violators
The Chief Minister asked authorities to take strict action against traders found indulging in abnormal price hikes, including cancellation of trade licenses in serious cases. The state government has also asked deputy commissioners to hold weekly review meetings with chambers of commerce and trade bodies to regularly assess market trends and address grievances related to pricing and supply of essential commodities. Sarma directed officials to undertake intensive field-level monitoring to detect and prevent unusual price escalation in local markets.
Expediting Aadhaar Seeding for Ujjwala Scheme
In another key directive, Sarma asked officials to expedite Aadhaar seeding of beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana to eliminate duplicity in LPG cylinder distribution and ensure that benefits reach genuine consumers.
