Imphal: Manipur officials clamped down on food costs today. The Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Department set maximum retail prices for 18 essential commodities to stop traders from gouging shoppers during the Ningol Chakkouba festival season. The holiday falls on November 11.
The price caps apply immediately to Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Bishnupur, and Kakching. Traders in Churachandpur and Pherzawl face the same rules but can add Rs 4 to the baseline rate. Every business must display government-approved price charts in plain sight.
Price ceilings include onions at Rs 53 per kg and local potatoes at Rs 30 per kg. Premium Matar dal sits at Rs 76 per kg. Various grades of Masur and Arhar dal range from Rs 90 to Rs 150 per kg, while flour and refined Maida are fixed at Rs 50 per kg. Bulk cooking oils and specific regional rice varieties also fall under these new orders.
The Legal Metrology Department launched a statewide enforcement drive to back these rules. Teams under Controller Y. Nelson Singh are patrolling stores to check weights and measures. They want to prevent manipulation and ensure transparency. Officials noted these rates are subject to change. They stated, "The prescribed rates represent the maximum permissible retail prices."
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