The State government today said that multiple factors contributed to the fluctuation in prices, particularly in essential commodities like food grains, pulses, and vegetables in Meghalaya.
In a statement issued today, Food Civil Supplies and Consumers Affairs Director Anita Kharpor said that irregular and late monsoon rains experienced across parts of the country have led to widespread droughts, significantly affecting food grain and vegetable production. In other regions, heavy rainfall has caused flooding, destroying crops and further reducing supply.
“Additionally, with India’s population exceeding one billion, supply often struggles to meet demand, leading to inflationary pressures,” she added.
Kharpor also said that the unique topography and climate conditions of Meghalaya also exacerbate these supply-demand imbalances.
“The high cost of labour and transportation has further intensified the situation. The hilly terrain of Meghalaya increases transportation costs, which are subsequently passed on to consumers. The State’s reliance on imports of certain commodities from outside its borders has also aggravated the situation, as market fluctuations elsewhere directly affect local prices,” she said.
Kharpor said that the Food Civil Supplies and Consumers Affairs Department has undertaken several initiatives to stabilise prices and ensure the availability of essential commodities to all citizens.
“A significant step in this direction has been the implementation of the Price Monitoring System (PMS). This system, present in every district, collects and disseminates wholesale and retail prices of 22 essential commodities to protect consumer interests and ensure these items remain affordable for the common people,” she said.
Further, she informed that in an effort to improve the representativeness of daily price data, the Government of India has expanded the number of monitored commodities from 22 to 38, effective from August 1. This expansion includes 16 additional commodities, aligning the coverage more closely with those listed under the Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) of the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation.
Kharpor stated that Shillong, Tura, Jowai, Sohra, Mairang, Nongpoh, Khliehriat, Nongstoin, Mawkyrwat, and Williamnagar have been integrated into the Price Monitoring System (PMS) application, ensuring that prices do not exceed the All-India Rate of Essential Commodities.
“To further safeguard consumer interests, the department has strengthened its monitoring mechanisms by establishing two levels of Price Monitoring Committees: The State Level Price Monitoring Committee and the District/Sub-Divisional Vigilance and Monitoring Committees. These committees are tasked with monitoring price movements and conducting regular inspections to prevent hoarding, black marketing, and unwarranted price hikes of essential commodities,” she informed.
According to her, the department also maintains the Price Monitoring System (PMS) Dashboard, which captures the daily prices of essential commodities across all districts and sub-divisions. The Retail Prices MIS of Meghalaya can be accessed on the department’s website at https://megfcsca.gov.in.
