In what has exposed the nexus of traders and corporate houses increasing the prices essential commodities exorbitantly, the commissioner of taxes has informed the Assam chief secretary that the price of eggs is `1.09 per egg as against the average price of `4.50 per egg in the market while that of fish is `20 to `25 per kg as against the prevailing market price of `200 and above.
“Since eggs and fish are exempted from payment of VAT as well as Entry Tax, in Assam, there should perhaps be no motivation or incentive on the part of the traders to indulge in under invoicing — unless of course they do so to save on income tax or due to tax and other compulsions in the exporting state,” the additional chief secretary, referring the report of tax commissioner, stated in a letter to the chief secretary.
The additional chief secretary who was asked by finance department headed by Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi to look into reason behind sudden jump of prices of essential commodities in the market, suggested, “For us in Assam it may be reasonable to accept the prices declared at check gates the entry point of the state as the actual prices,” he said adding that the prevailing market prices “appears to be exorbitantly high.”
He suggested that the Food and Civil Supplies Department and respective district magistrates should look into this aspect, as fish and eggs are important items of regular consumption.
In connection with the price hike of broiler chicken, he stated, “I have been given to understand that a few corporate firms from outside the state have captured the market.”
The report stated, “Most of the local broiler chicken farmers are working as captive farmers of the corporate firms. The corporate firms give necessary inputs to the farmers for rearing broiler chicken on their behalf. On delivery of the mature chicken ready for selling in the market, the captive farmers get around `5 per kg of broiler chicken as their rearing charge.”
“What is hurting the consumer is the high price of broiler chicken, which ranges from `50 to `60 per kg about two years back, has crossed `100 per kg about six months back and has touched `200 per kg at present,” the report of the additional chief secretary said.