Buying spree for Ningol Chakkouba festival

IMPHAL, Nov 13: Among the variety of items being purchased for Ningol Chakkouba gift, blankets have turned out to be the most popular choice.

Random market survey ahead of the Ningol Chakkouba festival found that apples and oranges are a little cheaper this year compared to last year. But banana and other vegetables are dearer.

Ningol Chakkouba is one of the biggest festivals of the Meitei community and is celebrated on the 2nd day of Manipuri calendar month Hiyangei. On this day, married women are invited by their parents and brothers for a sumptuous meal followed by presentation of gifts and exchange of greetings. Apples cost Rs 200 to Rs 250 per Kg last year but this time apples are available at Rs 100 to Rs 120 per Kg. Oranges now cost Rs 80 per Kg. However, banana despite being a local produce, is dearer this year compared to previous year. A bunch of banana now costs Rs 50 to Rs 100 whereas its price ranged between Rs 30 to Rs 50 last year.

Apabi, a fruit-seller said that apples brought from India are sold at Rs 120 per Kg while those imported through Moreh are sold at Rs 100 per Kg.

Fishes and vegetables are also dearer this year.

Current prices for some items are onion Rs 20-30 per Kg, garlic Rs 100-above per Kg, soibum Rs 50 per Kg, hawaimubi Rs 80-100 per Kg, yongchak Rs 100 per three pieces.

Strangely, the State Government has no mechanism for price control. As such, price of the same item vary from one shop/vendor to another within Khwairamband market itself.

It is the traders/shopkeepers who are determining prices of all goods. Shopkeepers said that blankets top the list of gift items being purchased ahead of the Ningol Chakkouba festival. Rice cooker was the most popular gift item of last year’s Ningol Chakkouba festival, said shopkeeper of Paona Keithel.

Prices of blankets being purchased for Ningol Chakkouba range from Rs 500 to Rs 2500 per piece.

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