Workshop-cum-training programme on strengthening of price monitoring activities was conducted at Directorate of Food & Civil Supplies, Dimapur on June 20 and 21. (Morung Photo)
Dimapur, June 24 (MExN): In line with efforts to strengthen the price monitoring mechanism in Nagaland and to support the centre’s initiative for inflation control through the Price Stabilization Fund (PSF), a two-day workshop-cum-training programme on strengthening of price monitoring activities was conducted at the Directorate of Food & Civil Supplies, Dimapur on June 20 and 21.
It was jointly organised by Department of Food & Civil Supplies (F&CS) Nagaland and Ministry of consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Government of India, stated a press release issued by Dr Kapenlo Thing, Joint Director, Food & Civil Supplies, Nagaland.
Delivering the welcome address, Chubawati Chang, NCS, Director of F&CS, stated that the workshop aimed to enhance the price surveillance mechanism in the 16 Price Monitoring Centers established across the State and to ensure daily reporting of prices for 38 essential commodities from all districts to the Ministry.
He welcomed the resource person from the Ministry of consumer Affairs, GoI. He also welcomed and urged the Data Entry operators (DEOs) from across the districts to actively participate in the workshop, which would enhance their capacity and ensure accurate reporting of commodity prices through the Mobile Application (PMS App) developed by Ministry of consumer Affairs, GoI.
The first day of the programme featured a detailed presentation on Price Monitoring Methodology by Sandeep Kumar, Statistical officer, Department of consumer Affairs, GoI.
His presentation provided insights into procedures, challenges in district-level price data collection, and the crucial role of data submitted by DEOs, which forms the basis for generating reports and conducting analyses to support policy decisions related to price control, market intervention, and supply chain management.
During the session, DEOs also shared practical challenges and technical issues faced in the field.
Addressing the participants, I Anungba Sanglir, Additional Director, F&CS urged the DEos to attentively follow the training and coordinate with their respective District Civil Supplies Officers to ensure that reports submitted through the PMS Application are accurate and reliable.
During the question and answer session, K Mhonthung, Deputy Director and Nodal Officer of the Price Monitoring Cell (PMC), shared valuable insights into the methodologies and best practices of price monitoring, citing practical examples from the shop visits conducted earlier that morning. He stressed the importance of precise data collection and on-ground verification to ensure the credibility of the reports submitted to the Ministry.
The second day of the programme focused on the theme Awareness campaign on the Possibility of Pulses and Vegetable Production in Nagaland, chaired by Lalramdinpuii Renthlei (IES), Director, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, GoI. In her keynote address, she emphasised the centre’s objectives to control inflation by stabilizing market prices and urged Nagaland to closely monitor the implementation of PSF and assess its impact. She also pointed out the variations in price coverage across Northeastern states and highlighted the need for accurate, timely reporting to bridge those gaps.
In the technical session, officials from the F&CS Department shared insights into factors influencing market demand and discussed the importance of strengthening local production to support price stability.
Further contributing to the discussions, Dr A Senka Jamir, Joint Director, Department of Horticulture, Nagaland, highlighted the potential for increasing the production of essential commodities like pulses and vegetables within the State. He shared brief updates on initiatives to boost crop production and reduce dependence on external markets to stabilise local prices.
The two-day workshop concluded with an interactive session to strengthen Nagaland's price monitoring system through collaborative efforts involving agriculture, horticulture and allied departments, stated the press release.
In the vote of thanks, Dr Kapenlo Thong, Joint Director, F&CS called for continued cooperation among all stakeholders to support production activities, meet consumer demand, and enhance effective price monitoring mechanisms for the benefit of the State.
