Traders flout Dimapur Municipal Council rates

February 21, 2021 96 Views No Comment

Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 20

There has been silent but widespread public resentment against exorbitant rates beyond prescribed rates by the traders and for non-adherence to rates of various commodities fixed by the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC).

Almost all consumers who spoke to The Morung Express on this issue assert that the rates fixed by DMC had no visible impact since the traders stick to their ‘so-called rates’ citing lockdown issues leaving the public with no alternative other than buying at traders’ rates.

For instance, the existing retail rate of pork (dressed) fixed by the DMC on November 3, 2020 is Rs 250 per kg while the rate of offal (head, hoof, intestine etc) is Rs 200 per kg. However, pork sellers’ rates stand at Rs 300 per kg both for dressed meat and offal. Similarly, the rate of dressed broiler fixed by DMC is Rs 180 per kg but the market rate is effective at Rs 240 per kg. Likewise, beef is being sold in the local market at Rs 300 per kg and Rs 250 per kg for offal as against the DMC retail rate of Rs 220 per kg and Rs 180 per kg respectively. The rate of beef was fixed on December 8, 2020 following representation by Beef Sellers of Dimapur. (See table)

It may be mentioned that the DMC revises the rates of various commodities/items after receiving representations from the associations of respective whole sellers and retailers of various commodities/items. DMC reviews the rates taking into consideration the prevailing market situation and comparing the existing rates at neighbouring Assam. However, in practice, the traders sell the items at rates higher than the ones prescribed by the DMC.

As far as meat rates are concerned, DMC says it carries out inspection from time to time and many a times after receiving complaints from the public. “But since the traders already recognize the DMC staff, whenever we reach the spot for verification, they bring down the rates as prescribed by the DMC and it becomes difficult to take action. So an effective way to check such malpractices is for the complainant himself/herself to accompany the DMC staff to the spot from where the item was bought at a higher rate,” said DMC Administrator, Albert Ezung. Nevertheless, the Administrator said many meat sellers have been penalized in the past for flouting the rates and using non-standard weighing scales.

On many occasions, the DMC has seized meats and issued stern warning to adhere to the prescribed rates or face permit cancellation, he added.

For perishable items mainly vegetables, the DMC fixes rates on daily basis. The Morung Express regularly updates the daily rate chart of vegetables prepared by DMC on its Instagram page. Commenting on the regular posts, one user said that he never gets vegetables at the fixed rates. Another user wrote, “While it is good that the Municipal Council comes up with these rates, in reality, no representative is there to enforce these prices.”

Another complained, “No matter how many times DMC revise the market rate for goods, you will still see the prices are hiked by Rs 20-30 in the local markets. And most of the vendors are even ready to challenge it.”

The rate of another perishable item-fish is reviewed from time to time depending on the changes in rates from places of origin and other factors before reaching Dimapur. The wholesale rate of fish within the municipal jurisdiction is also set by the DMC. (See table)

DMC sources said the retail rates of the fishes do not exceed Rs 20 beyond the wholesale rate mentioned against each type of fish.

DMC has encouraged the public to register their complaints related to exorbitant rates at mobile phone numbers 9862929908 and 8837207162.

Source: https://morungexpress.com/traders-flout-dimapur-municipal-council-rates