The state government has warned that it will take action against anyone engaged in price gouging.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong today said that wholesalers, retailers or commercial drivers who take advantage of the disruption brought on by the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic would be taken to task if they inflate their prices or rates arbitrarily.
Tynsong sought to reassure the public that there are no shortages of essential commodities in Meghalaya.
“We have told the Transport Department to make sure that drivers or owners of commercial vehicles should not take advantage of the situation,” the Deputy CM said. “Everyone needs to earn a living but, at the same time, the difficulties faced by the residents of Meghalaya have to be understood.”
As there is no shortage of goods, there is no cause to raise prices, he added in appeal to traders of commodities.
Today there were complaints by passengers that even though the authorities have not yet issued any order to limit the numbers of people inside taxis, cab drivers are ferrying only two passengers at a time and overcharging them in the process.
One such aggrieved passenger had to pay Rs 50 in a shared taxi from Polo to Rynjah, whereas the fare was Rs 30 the day before.
Meanwhile, the Hynñiewtrep Integrated Territorial Organisation (HITO) has written to the East Khasi Hills district administration on the issue of a sudden rise in prices of essential commodities, especially in Shillong city.
“The sudden increase in prices of essential commodities will result in unaffordable living conditions for the poor, especially the urban poor,” HITO said.
