> Then why this sudden drop in potato prices? Its answer can be >found in the huge production of potato >in Barpeta district under >the aegis of the Oxom Unnati Sabha.
**** I am no economist, nor am I conversed in the intricacies of market manipulation, be it in India or be it in the USA. But one question does come to mind: What is Assam's total potato crop? My guess would be it is minuscule. Assam has been a victim of many forms of exploitation perpetrated by India and Indians, but if Assam's potato production volume being what it must be, I don't think the Indian potato mafia is the one to have manipulated the pricing to destroy the Borpetia-aluguti industry. Crying wolf one too many times destroys the credibility of REAL reasons for Assam's discontent and outrage that is so skillfully kept under the rug by Assam's establishment. >Moreover, storing in Assam is a bit difficult, because of dearth of >cold storage facility and lack of >electricity to run the cold >storages effectively. **** I have heard of this complaint for, at the very least, a quarter century, if not more. Question is what have we seen as progress in this front? Those who are ready to advise patience have a responsibility to explain WHY and HOW MUCH more patience Assam must endure. And those pillars of Assam's society who would acknowledge the problem but would continue to aid and abet the systemic dysfunction of Indian governance over Assam which is /are responsible, are at best sly operators trying to have it both ways. > I believe that we should do whatever we can to foil and expose such nefarious designs. *** When those are REAL, I agree we should. What holds us back? > I am also surprised that the outfits that want secession or >sovereignty of Assam, do not point out >these injustices in everyday >life and restrict themselves to denouncing state atrocities, to >which >campaign people have become desensitized to an extent, as it >smacks of partisanship. *** Two points to note: A: It is the same kind of logic that Indian apologists of Assam make about holding ULFA responsible for border protection, or taunting them for taking shelter in B'desh or challenging them to undertake development projects in Assam. It is a patently immature tactic and/or complaint. Could be described in much harsher terms. I will be pleased to explain if absolutely necessary. But I prefer not to get all that harsh :-). B: One cannot dismiss these villains on the one hand as inconsequential or stupid or both and on the other hand expect them to air their views in the media, while knowing full well that they won't be able to get a letter to the editor that mince no words, published; let alone be given publicity by the media controlled by the entrenched media. That is living in a make-believe world. > I believe that we should do whatever we can to foil and expose >such nefarious designs. Yes, >desecration of archeological relics is >important issue to tackle. But brazen economic loot is no less >a >question. **** These are NOT zero sum games in where they are exclusive of each other; where if one is pursued the other must be abandoned, just like everything else in life. The complaint is not at all valid. At 6:44 AM +0100 3/31/08, uttam borthakur wrote: > > > >A news item in Pratidin makes a difficult reading. Less of facts, >more of opinions. > But an item published on 31st March2008 is of concern. The prices >of potato have suddenly plummetted in Assam. Apparently it should >indicate the positive impact of withdrawal of Value Added Tax on >food items. But it is not, because of the simple reason that the >prices of rice-cereals etc. have remained sky-high. > > Then why this sudden drop in potato prices? Its answer can be >found in the huge production of potato in Barpeta district under the >aegis of the Oxom Unnati Sabha. In order to ensure that the Oxomiya >farmers producing potato incur loss and do not dare to cultivate it >again successfully, the mainland India trading lobby or the >oligopoly or the cartel, by whatever name called, has suddenly >reduced the market prices of potato so that the reigning market >prices would not allow the local cultivators recover the input >prices, let alone make a profit. Moreover, storing in Assam is a bit >difficult, because of dearth of cold storage facility and lack of >electricity to run the cold storages effectively. > > Such things have been taking place in Assam for a number of years >in respect of tea, vegetables and now Potato. Some people may argue >that let the market forces rule, as in any free market system. But >history of economics shows that it is the trade barriers, subsidies >and in short the protective policies of the state that have allowed >the economies of rich nations grow. So such advocates actually are >the spokespersons of the mighty, and in this case that of the >mainland India that uses Assam like a hinterland. Moreover, had it >been a fairplay, it would have been acceptable. But here is a design >working to stifle capital formation in Assam and the Indian State >and its local lackeys are helping such a design to succeed by its >inaction or covert helping hand. > > I believe that we should do whatever we can to foil and expose >such nefarious designs. Yes, desecration of archeological relics is >important issue to tackle. But brazen economic loot is no less a >question. > > I am also surprised that the outfits that want secession or >sovereignty of Assam, do not point out these injustices in everyday >life and restrict themselves to denouncing state atrocities, to >which campaign people have become desensitized to an extent, as it >smacks of partisanship. The major problem with these outfits are >that they have failed to give anyone an alternative picture or >system, if they have one, to fire the imaginations of the people, >who they apparently want to win over. > > >Uttam Kumar Borthakur > > >--------------------------------- > Unlimited freedom, unlimited storage. Get it now >_______________________________________________ >assam mailing list >assam@assamnet.org >http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org _______________________________________________ assam mailing list assam@assamnet.org http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
