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Price rise: the bitter truth of bihu

Only a day is left for Magh Bihu, the much vaunted festival of feast and merriment. But soaring prices seem to have embittered the real taste of the festival. Shops and markets are teeming with the people for bihu shopping. But a sudden price hike makes it difficult for the common to buy the commodities in the shops and markets.

“Beaten rice is available in the markets. But the price stands at Rs 60 per kg. We the common people can hardly afford cream. Price of curd, pulse, coconut and molasses are also going up,” said Ananta Saikia in Ganeshguri.

Jina Devi, a housewife in Beltola told Assam Times that a tight purse has not allowed them to buy more commodities in the market. She said, “We have to remain satisfied with 2 KG beaten rice, 10 larus, 500 molasses and 5 KG special rice for uruka feast.”

Fish and meat prices have already gone up. Mutton price has gone up to Rs 400 per kg while chicken is available for Rs 300 per KG. Fish market is equally grappling with exorbitant prices. Local fishes are pouring in the market in exorbitant prices.

Wednesday evening is uruka, the day of feasting. Bihu falls on Thursday were the meji would be burnt early in the morning.        

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