GUWAHATI: Carrying eggs, fish and broiler chicken on a handcart, Raijor Dal MLA Akhil Gogoi staged a protest outside the Assam Legislative Assembly, alleging that an illegal “syndicate raj” is inflating the prices of essential commodities across the state.
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The state government has not yet responded to the allegations.
The Sivasagar MLA alleged that the recent surge in the prices of eggs and other essential commodities in Assam is being driven by an illegal "syndicate tax" or "gunda tax" allegedly collected at entry points along the Assam–West Bengal border.
Addressing reporters during a protest, Gogoi claimed that eggs currently retailing in Guwahati at ₹8.50 to ₹10 apiece should actually cost no more than ₹5.75, citing the benchmark price fixed by the National Egg Coordination Committee (NECC).
The MLA alleged that the illegal collections are not confined to eggs alone but also affect broiler chicken, fish, fruits, rice, pulses and several other essential commodities entering Assam. He further claimed that goods being transported out of the state, including dry areca nut (betel nut), are also subjected to similar illegal levies.
According to Gogoi, trucks carrying goods into Assam through the Srirampur and Boxirhat entry points are allegedly forced to pay these unauthorised charges, the burden of which is ultimately passed on to consumers through higher retail prices.
Demanding immediate action, Gogoi urged the government to dismantle the alleged syndicate network, claiming that prices of essential commodities would decline only after such illegal collections are brought to an end.
#WATCH | Carrying eggs, fish and broiler chicken on a handcart, Raijor Dal MLA Akhil Gogoi staged a protest outside the Assam Legislative Assembly, alleging that an illegal “syndicate raj” is inflating the prices of essential commodities across the state. The government has not… pic.twitter.com/hZiQlHGAjA
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