Share
Dimapur, March 26 (EMN): Following complaints about traders allegedly hiking prices of essential commodities, including face masks and hand sanitisers, the Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation (NVCO) and Kohima District Truck Owners and Drivers’ Union (KDTODU) have asked the traders in Nagaland not to indulge in unethical practices amid the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
In a joint statement issued on Thursday, the organisations also appealed to the government of Nagaland to “supply necessary equipment to the healthcare sector to protect them from infection while rendering their services to the citizens in the state”.
While stating that ‘the state government is trying its level best to protect its citizens from the dreaded virus called Covid-19’, the organisations have appealed to the business community as well as the government to address the grievances of common people at this crucial juncture.
The KDTODU has received complaints from the consumers that several shops were charging more while selling essential commodities in the name of transportation charges, however, the union, as a transport services community, would like to convey to the business community that they did not raise or hike their transportation charges in any manner, the press statement read.
‘The KDTODU has asked all vehicles including trucks not to pay cash at the check-gates maintained by Nagaland Police and on any highway in honour of the state government’s standing order banning the same. The NVCO also received some complaints such as selling face mask at an exorbitant rate of INR 5, which is higher than the actual price, and different rates for sanitisers,’ it added.
While appealing to the public to co-operate with their respective district administrations in regulating prices of essential commodities, the organisations have asked the business community not to charge more than the prescribed price.
Stating that protecting those working in the healthcare sector like doctors, nurses and staff from the coronavirus is important, the organisations said it has learnt that government hospitals, including Dimapur Civil Hospital, Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHK), and Mon Civil Hospital do not have certain equipment to protect one of the most vulnerable groups of people.
The organisations have appealed to the state government “to immediately supply required equipment to the healthcare sector before it is too late”. They have also made a ‘humble appeal to all citizens, especially legislators, bureaucrats, technocrats, contractors, suppliers, traders, administrators and the richer community to come forward to contribute their resources to save the society from the dreaded Covid-19’. They added that the common people, especially the poor, less-privileged and daily wage earners will suffer more if the present situation continues.