| Government to monitor Dimapur's rising prices |
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Dimapur, Feb 2: The alarming rise in the price index for essential commodities has the national economy on its knees, with all the states gradually getting swept into the cycle. The Nagaland government said tonight that the national index cannot be helped, but has strongly assured that the price index in centrally commercial Dimapur would come under the price scanner. The price index in Dimapur reflects on the prices of essential commodities in the rest of Nagaland’s districts. For this reason, a price monitoring mechanism has been set up just a week-ago to monitor the prices in Dimapur, an administrative official informed. While the effects of the national index cannot be helped, the Nagaland administration hopes to keep the districts prices manageable and under control. Chief Secretary of Nagaland Lalthara, IAS, told The Morung Express tonight that Nagaland is a consumer state, totally dependent on sources from outside. It is for this reason that prices as being experienced in the national economy is reflected on the state’s economy. Being a consumer state, there is nothing to be helped except to go along with it, Lalthara said from Delhi tonight. The chief secretary is attending the Prime Minister’s two-day conference, February 1-2, with chief secretaries of states in New Delhi. In the conference the Prime Minister had asked the states to act fast and effectively to bolster food production and tackle price rise. Nonetheless, Lalthara assured that the state government on its part is doing its best to at least keep domestic price indexes (for instance, Dimapur’s) in check. This way the national price index is not take advantage of, by the local business community to tax the common man. The chief secretary said that the government has already instated price monitoring mechanisms or committees in the districts – headed by deputy commissioners or appointed executive officials – to monitor local prices. Prices in Dimapur in the past two weeks have had a chain-effect on other districts. The Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur Maongwati Aier informed tonight that the administration has put in place a price-monitoring system for Dimapur. Aier informed to have held a meeting recently where Dimapur’s business community was told to “bring down their price.” The administration’s price-check mechanism was established just 10 days ago. The administration has ordered all shops to display price-lists on an index board. Aier said that he has directed the magistrates in concern to go on regular checks to ensure that the prices are even and exact. Dimapur admn. warns price-violators Also, in a warning to vested business elements, the Dimapur administration has assured that stern action, under the Commodities Act, would be taken against businessmen or who take advantage of the current price-rise situation. Violators would be prosecuted, DC Aier assured tonight. The DC also disclosed that about a week ago, he met with the Karbi Anglong deputy commissioner and superintendent of police to check extortion at state-gates such as Bokajan and Dillai gates. Extortion activities are reflecting on the prices of essential commodities coming into the state and there is a need to curb the criminal elements, the DC explained. ‘Because of extortion, prices go up,’ Aier reminded. Consumers urged to speak up Dimapur, February 2 (MExN): Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur Maongwati Aier today said the silence of citizens and consumers is one reason that unscrupulous business interests charge exorbitant prices. This leads to exorbitant prices and remains so. ‘Whatever the shops ask, they pay,’ the DC lamented in an interaction with this daily. He encouraged all consumers and citizens to speak up and to bring their complaints to the DC’s office so that action would be taken. ‘I am encouraging and advising them to come forward for the redress of their grievances. My court is always open for you,’ Dimapur’s chief administrator assured all citizens. Referring to the ‘silence’ of consumers even when there is price rise or unjust and dishonest prices are charged, Aier said that the consumers themselves need to be well-informed and updated. ‘They should shout and complain,’ the DC said and assured that the Dimapur DC’s office is ready to welcome any complaints from citizens and consumers, to check the price-rise in Dimapur. 
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