Tripura wants amendment in EC Act 

Agartala, Aug 27 : The Tripura government has demanded amendment in Essential Commodity (EC) Act and delegate more power to the States to curb the illegal storage of essential commodities and price hike. 

Talking to media here today Food and Civil Supplies Minister Manik Dey said, '' Since the issue was in the concurrent list, the State government could not do anything to contain the black marketing and arrest the price hike of essential commodities, hence we have forwarded the demand of EC Act amendment and listing the EC goods.'' ''In fact, as per the law, we are completely dependent on the businessmen because in case of price fixation of a commodity we have to believe his cash memo and claims of transportation cost and this exercise will no way be effective to control price unless govt do not get the power to fix up the price,'' Mr Dey said. 

He pointed out that the State government had also send a proposal referring the name of the commodities, which would be considered as essential commodities in Tripura, as these are not uniform across the country. 

Dey however, added there was no report of any illegal storage in the State but admitted that the price of certain essential goods were comparatively high, which affected the market badly and the State government was maintaining a close vigil on it. 

He underscored that supply of essential items, including food grains, was badly hit in southern states of Northeast-Tripura, Mizoram and South Assam-after a series of landslides disrupted rail services in the past week. 

Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur and parts of Assam have been badly affected as inadequate supply has led to an increase in prices of these essential items in the region. 

The landslides, triggered by torrential rains, took place in Lumbding and Badarpur but reportedly the train service was restored today, Dey added.