Other States - Orissa   

Licensing of essentials opposed

CUTTACK: The Federation of All Orissa Traders’ Association has strongly opposed to the measures proposed to be taken by the State Government to arrest the price hike. The State Government had recently announced to reintroduce the licensing of essential commodities and fixing a ceiling on stock of the traders to put a check on the spiralling price rise.

“The twin measures proposed to deal with the price hike of essentials would boomerang in Orissa as the State largely depends on import of essential goods from outside”, said the Federation General Secretary B.K. Mohanty.

Orissa stands on a different footing compared to other states, as it is primarily a consuming State. Introduction of the Licence Raj and ceiling on stocks would only hamper free flow of commodities from outside, which would lead to further rise in price due to scarcity of essentials, Mohanty said in a press statement warning that the consumers in the State would bear the brunt.

The federation has already sent a memorandum in this regard to the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik stating about the debilitating effect the twin measures would usher in, Mohanty informed.

Mohanty further said that the trading community in the State is being “unnecessarily” blamed for the current price rise. He blamed the multi-national companies for the present crisis alleging that these companies are making large-scale purchase of food grains from open market and creating artificial scarcity by hoarding them.

Instead of blaming the local trading community and putting curbs on them, the State Government should take measures to enhance the food grains production, Mohanty suggested.

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