Shillong, Oct 30: In a proactive step to address rising prices of essential commodities, Meghalaya’s Food & Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister, Comingone Ymbon, chaired a “One Day Workshop on Strengthening of Price Monitoring System” on Wednesday.

Organized by the Department of Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs, the workshop was held at the main conference hall of the Meghalaya Secretariat.

Speaking to reporters, Ymbon highlighted the importance of stabilizing prices, stating, “We had a workshop to strengthen the price monitoring cell. We discussed thoroughly this issue with all the Deputy Commissioners present here. I don’t want the prices to rise excessively, which is why I called for this workshop.” He further emphasized that the issue affects not only the Food and Civil Supplies department but other departments that play a role in regulating the market.

Amid growing concerns from the public about the rising prices of essential items, Ymbon announced that “today we decided in the meeting we will ask the Honourable Chief Minister to bring all the relevant departments together—including the Home, Agriculture, and Food & Civil Supplies departments—for a comprehensive discussion. However, this will take place after the upcoming Gambegre by-elections.”

Meanwhile In light of the ongoing challenges, the Department of Food and Civil Supplies issued a note detailing the factors contributing to price increases in essential commodities such as food grains, pulses, and vegetables. According to the department, recent irregular monsoon rains have resulted in droughts and, in some cases, floods that have significantly reduced crop yields. The department also pointed to supply-demand imbalances, particularly in densely populated areas, and highlighted the added burden of high labor and transportation costs, especially in Meghalaya’s hilly regions, which elevate consumer prices.

The department further noted that Meghalaya’s reliance on imports for certain commodities means local prices are often impacted by national market fluctuations. “The high cost of labor and transportation, especially in hilly terrain, exacerbates price pressures, with increased costs passed on to consumers,” the department stated.

Initiatives to Stabilize Prices
In response to these challenges, the Department of Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs has enhanced its Price Monitoring System (PMC) across all districts to track and report daily retail and wholesale prices of essential commodities. The department clarified that “through the Price Monitoring System, we collect and disseminate wholesale and retail prices of 22 essential commodities to protect consumers’ interests and ensure that these items remain affordable.”

Furthermore, the Government of India has expanded the list of monitored commodities from 22 to 38, effective from August 1, 2024, aligning with the commodities tracked under the Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) by the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation. This expanded monitoring aims to provide a more representative snapshot of market trends and enhance consumer protection.

Digital Tools for Price Tracking
The department also maintains a Price Monitoring System (PMC) Dashboard, an MIS tool capturing daily price data across all districts and subdivisions in Meghalaya. This dashboard enables officials to make informed decisions based on real-time market data. Consumers can access the Retail Prices MIS of Meghalaya via the department’s official website: [https://megfcsca.gov.in/](https://megfcsca.gov.in/).

Commitment to Price Stability
Minister Ymbon assured the public that the department is committed to preventing hoarding, black-marketing, and artificial price inflation. “The primary function of the Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs Department is to keep essential commodities affordable for the common people. We will work to ensure effective implementation of relevant acts and policies to protect consumer interests,” he stated.

With these ongoing efforts, the Meghalaya government aims to mitigate the impact of price fluctuations on its citizens and ensure that essential commodities remain accessible to all.

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