Trinamul activists agitate against price hike in Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 26 OCT: The leaders and workers of the Trinamul Congress today staged an agitation in front of the Malda district magistrate's office protesting against the price hike of essential commodities and other issues in the state. The Trinamul leaders took the opportunity to focus on the price hike issue during their agitation following the upward trend of price of some essential items in the local markets. Since the past few days the price of sugar, onions, potatoes, pulses and other essential commodities have gone up drastically. Based on quality the rate of sugar in the wholesale markets is Rs 3,100 to Rs 3,300 per quintal. The officials of the food and supplies department have admitted that the rate of sugar was under control during the festive season when the government was providing sugar through the public distribution system for both the APL and BPL consumers. On the other hand, potatoes that come from Burdwan, are being sold at Rs 19 per kg in Malda town and Rs 20 per kg outside the town. The wholesale rate of potato was Rs 820 per bag (containing 50 kg of potatoes) but at present the rate is more than Rs 850 a bag. The district magistrate Mr Sridhar Ghosh said that he would look into the matter so that traders did not demand abnormal price of the essential commodities. He also disclosed that he was not in a position to hold a meeting on this issue at present owing to the bypoll in Sujapur.