Silchar: A sharp rise in the prices of essential commodities has strained household budgets across the Barak Valley, with sugar retailing at around Rs 65 per kg, mustard oil at Rs 205-215 a litre, and onions at Rs 60 per kg in markets across Silchar, Hailakandi, and Sribhumi.The surge has hit low- and middle-income families particularly hard, forcing many to reduce consumption or cut spending on other necessities.“Prices of almost every essential item have increased, but our income remains unchanged. Managing the monthly kitchen budget has become extremely difficult,” said Paramita Sarkar, a resident of Silchar.Traders attributed the hike to higher wholesale rates and transportation costs, insisting retailers had little scope to offer relief. Consumers, however, demanded stronger market surveillance to curb hoarding and arbitrary pricing.“A litre of mustard oil of a particular brand now costs Rs 215, while sugar and onions have also become expensive. Families with limited incomes are being forced to cut consumption,” said Shirshendu Roy, an employee in Sribhumi.Daily-wage earners and pensioners are among those bearing the brunt. “After buying rice, oil, vegetables, and medicines, very little money is left for other necessities,” said Nabendu Nath, a retired employee in Silchar.At the national level, the Centre on Friday rejected claims that diversion of sugar for ethanol production was driving the surge. It attributed the rise instead to lower domestic output, higher festive-season demand, weather-related crop damage, tightening global supplies, speculation, and hoarding.According to Union consumer affairs ministry, the average retail price of sugar rose from Rs 48.18 per kg on July 20 to Rs 55.7 on Aug 20. Sugar production this season is estimated at 306 lakh metric tonnes, down from an initial projection of 343 lakh metric tonnes. The ministry added that the share of sugar diverted for ethanol has declined from 12% in 2022–23 to about 9% in 2025–26, with nearly three-fourths of ethanol now produced from grains, particularly maize.Consumers across the Barak Valley have urged Assam govt and district administrations to intensify market inspections, act against hoarding, and ensure essential commodities are sold at reasonable prices.
