Northeast Desk, 14th September: Meghalaya’s Food & Civil Supplies Minister Comingone Ymbon accused the opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP) of politicizing the issue of rising prices to influence voters ahead of the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) elections.
Ymbon criticized the VPP’s one-day sit-in demonstration against the increase in essential commodity prices, calling it a political stunt aimed at misleading the public. He argued that the lack of railways in the state forces a reliance on trucks for transportation, which significantly contributes to higher prices.
“Without railways, we depend solely on trucks, which drives up transportation costs,” Ymbon explained. He added that prohibiting heavy trucks from passing through the Umiam Dam has also increased transportation distances and costs, exacerbating the price rise.
The minister emphasized that Meghalaya’s dependence on external sources for essential commodities, coupled with the increased transportation costs, are major factors affecting prices. He also highlighted the state government’s efforts to combat price rises through regular raids, with 442 conducted in the current fiscal year alone.
Ymbon defended the government’s actions and claimed that current prices are stable, countering allegations from the opposition that the administration has done nothing to address the issue.
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