Imphal: The Manipur government has imposed maximum retail price limits on 18 essential food commodities across five valley districts to prevent traders from overcharging consumers during the festive shopping rush ahead of Ningol Chakkouba.
The major Ningol Chakkouba festival will be celebrated on November 11. The Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Department issued the order under the Essential Commodities Act, directing traders to comply with the revised price ceilings with immediate effect.
The restrictions apply to Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Bishnupur and Kakching districts. The government has also extended the price regulations to Churachandpur and Pherzawl districts, where a marginal additional charge of Rs 4 over the baseline retail rates has been permitted.
Meanwhile, the Legal Metrology Department has launched a statewide enforcement drive to inspect weights, measures and packaged commodities during the festive season.
Under the direction of Controller Y. Nelson Singh, inspection teams are checking commercial establishments to prevent manipulation of weighing standards, ensure transparency and protect consumers from inaccurate measurements.
The government’s order sets maximum retail prices for several essential food items. Premium Matar dal has been capped at Rs 76 per kg, while local potatoes cannot be sold for more than Rs 30 per kg. The maximum retail prices for onions and different varieties of Masur and Arhar dal have also been fixed.
Onions have been capped at Rs 53 per kg, while various grades of Masur and Arhar dal have been assigned price ceilings ranging from Rs 90 to Rs 150 per kg.
The order also fixes the maximum prices of grain-based products, including flour and refined Maida, at Rs 50 per kg. Specific regional varieties of rice and bulk-packaged cooking oils are also covered under the price-control measures.
As part of the regulatory measures, all commercial establishments have been directed to prominently display government-approved price charts at their premises.
Officials said the prescribed rates represent the maximum permissible retail prices. However, the ceilings may be revised periodically depending on changes in wholesale market availability.
The measures are aimed at preventing unfair pricing practices and ensuring that consumers can purchase essential commodities at regulated rates during the busy Ningol Chakkouba shopping period.