PBUD says it will be compelled to raise retail rate
Morung Express News
Dimapur | May 4
Pork butchers in Dimapur have decided to resume business. But the decision came with a catch.
The Pork Butchers Union Dimapur (PBUD) told a press conference on May 4 that it will resume business from May 8 if the Nagaland state government does not address the union’s grievance with the regard to the Assam government’s directive, temporarily banning import of live pigs from states outside the northeast. It also implied ban on transit of live pigs through the state of Assam, an order which took effect on March 13.
The PBUD had shut business beginning April 24 in protest against the directive, which resulted in butchers in Dimapur not getting access to lower-priced pork imported from states outside the NE region. It had a cascading effect on price and profit margin for the butchers, who were compelled to procure purportedly “Assam local pigs” at a higher rate. The rate set for “Assam local pigs” reportedly made their retail business financially unsustainable.
For comparison, he said they were were procuring pork imported from outside the region at Rs 200 per kg (live weight); while the so called “Assam local” was selling at Rs 240-250 per kg (live weight).
The Union had also appealed the Nagaland state government to intervene and address their grievance with the Assam government. However, PBUD President, Shikato T Swu told the press conference that the state government was yet to respond their plea.
Swu said that the union will wait till May 6 for the state government to respond. “If there is no response by May 6, we will open business from May 8.” The price however would be costlier by atleast Rs 40 a kg.
The preexisting official retail rate set by the Dimapur Municipal Council was Rs 280 per kg, but in reality, it was selling at Rs 300 a kg. Swu maintained that this was necessitated to make up for additional expenses given a narrow profit margin provided by the DMC rate juxtaposed with the wholesale rate in Assam and taxation by the various Naga Political Groups (NPGs). He added that pork butchers in Dimapur have to shell out around Rs 400-500 every day as tax to atleast 6-7 different NPGs.
With regard to scale tampering by butchers, Swu informed that the union will be soon setting up a helpline number for consumer complaints.
