Sir,
As far as I remember, the rate for a hair cut across Nagaland was the same many years back. Presently, the cost of a hair cut at Dimapur in a saloon using only scissors is fixed at Rs. 40 and a hair cut using electric trimmer is Rs.60 as per DMC order number DMC/G-13/MRC/2016-17, signed by your predecessor. A haircut which may take around 25 minutes with scissors only may be completed in 15-20 minutes using an electric trimmer along with the scissor, thereby giving the barber time to tend to more customers. Moreover, the wattage of an electric trimmer is around 8 watts only which the barber mostly would use only for a couple of minutes at the most for a customer.
Rate of a haircut in other districts I know is fixed at Rs. 30 with or without using an electric trimmer. Though a common citizen of the state, it is not that I cannot afford a haircut once or twice a month. The rise in price at Dimapur for a haircut comparing to other districts seem unreasonable and the extra twenty Rupees for using a hair trimmer simply outrageous. While the welfare of the barbers is not deprived, I kindly appeal that you review the matter and revise the rate in all fairness that would benefit the common citizen.
Mervyn Jamir
NST colony, Dimapur
