Price hike costs dear to BPL cardholders

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 7 JAN: Distribution of sugar to the below poverty line ration card holders remains suspended since mid-November 2009 in Malda due to lack of stock in the Essential Commodities Supply Corporation.

The scarcity of sugar has caused a sharp rise in the price of sugar in the open market. Sugar is being sold anything between Rs 45 and Rs 46 a kg in the open market much to the anguish of all.

Yesterday, the wholesale price of sugar in Malda was Rs 4,200 per quintal in the morning but the price went up to Rs 4,400 per quintal by evening.

Commenting on the situation the district controller food and supplies, Mr B K Malakar, said: “We could not distribute sugar to the BPL card holders since the past few weeks due to lack of stock in the ECSC. We would be able to supply sugar through the public distribution system when the ECSC has the stock. We had distributed sugar through PDS before Durga Puja as the ECSC had supplied it then,” Mr Malakar said.

It may be noted that the wholesale price of sugar was between Rs 2,700 and Rs 2,800 per quintal during the festival period.

The market price of sugar went down further after supply of sugar through the PDS.

Admitting that public grievance over the shooting price of sugar was being reported from different corners, the sub divisional controller, food and supplies, Mr N K Sarkar, said: “Suspension of distribution of sugar through the PDS is causing public resentment in many places.”

The food and supplies department has, however, not informed the district magistrate about the shooting price of sugar.

When asked about the situation, the Malda district magistrate Mr Sridhar Ghosh said: “I shall ask the food and supplies department about the situation and take necessary action thereafter. I shall also discuss with the traders’ bodies about the abrupt hike in the price of sugar and other essential commodities,” the DM said.

Meanwhile, the hike in the price of sugar has caused the hundreds of tea stalls in the district to increase the rate of a cup of tea from Re 1 to Rs 2 since Monday and the sweetmeat shops have followed suit increasing the price of every piece of delicacy by at least 1 Re with a threat attached to increase it further if the price of sugar continues to remain sky high.