AGARTALA, Oct 12 (TIWN): In Tripura’s history, such economic slowdowns were never experienced by local businessmen in festival seasons. Traders in Laxmi Puja markets across Tripura witnessing low sales. Economists worldwide worried about Indian economy and the country is talking about ‘pause’ in the manufacturing, banks miserable losses, corporate tax-slashes, in Tripura the situation is now already critical. Statewide businessmen are alleging losses, directly blaming ‘massive economic fall’ triggered ‘demand-less’ markets which could not develop in the Laxmi puja market. Maximum cracker sellers didn’t store new items in the market as the previous year’s stocks seemed enough for their this year’s business. Few doubted last years stocks of crackers whether to be finished this year or not. Price hikes at the same time touched sky where sweet lemons to orange are cost Rs. 25 per piece, apples are per kilo Rs. 80 to 90. In the Durga puja season also 70% down in garment business than 2018 was reported form the major markets like Hawkers corner, Sakuntala like areas. Although Laxmi puja is a house to house a ‘must’ celebration, but no development in this season too.Market survey shows a sharp fall of profits this year in the Laxmi puja market here in Agartala.

At the same time price hikes have hit the fruit markets, whereas in crackers and idol markets amid losses maintained same price tags like the last year. TIWN has surveyed two markets in last two days in Agartala : 1) Battala and 2) Gol Bazar markets but so far no profit trend was reported till the afternoon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcuG75ywuFQ TIWN Youtube Link to see how traders alleging losses in fire-cracker market at Gol Bazar, Agartala

Even consumers accepted that the price remained same for them, but the sellers are at loss due to lack of demands. An idol seller said, demand of big-idols have sharply decreased in compare to the last year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXRtj-iAW6M TIWN Youtube Link to see how a consumer in Agartala complaining losses in Laxmi puja market

The rates of the fruits were reported from Gol Bazar : Mangoes are sold at Rs. 300, Sweet lemons are at 100 for piece, Orange : 100 at 4 piece, Apple Rs. 80 kilo, Pomegranate Rs 200 kilo. Indeed all fruits are selling at skyrocketing prices ahead of Laxmi puja. Laxmi puja to be held on October 13. Economic crisis has hit the state whereas demand in Laxmi puja market at low.Creation of Laxmi idols is less this year in compare to the last year, said a seller.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxAqNvKlTm4  TIWN Youtube link to see an idol seller complaining losses in Agartala's Gol Bazar market

The artists told media as the market is down, so demand is less. People’s economic condition is not stable and thus the stock of Laxmi idols to be less in compare to the last year, said the artists.

Also huge numbers of fruits were damaged due to Durga puja organizing clubs’ money extortions.

Many businessmen alleged in the Gol Bazar Agartala that various fruit carrying trucks were unable to come in time as clubs snatched the vehicle key demanding “chanda” for Durga puja.

Kumarghat, Manughat are the places where the money extortion was on peak.

Rotten fruits came in Agartala market as clubs stopped trucks in Durga puja donation demand for long 3 days, said the businessmen across Gol Bazar. 

70% loss in Durga puja’s garment markets : A tight economic condition for businessmen remained in this Durga puja in Northeast state Tripura resulted from moneyless conditions from house to house.

Huge losses alleged by Agartala garment stall businessmen, footage displayed no customer situation in the markets.

Talking to media, businessmen said that there is almost “nil sale” even one week ahead of Durga puja. They alleged, at an average 70% fall in the market in compare to the last year.

A businessman also said, “Earlier trade license was only around thousand which has now hiked at above 4000. Now, it seems, if we earn 100 rupees, keeping 5 rupees all have to be given to the Govt ?”

Lack of payment in MGNREGA : Statewide MGNREGA’s pending wages have been causing massive distresses, fueled clashes in the Panchayat office premises in few places. In the Tulashikar block on Sashthi day women locked a block office demanding pending wages and at Srinathpur Panchayat clashes have injured people during a protest over MGNREGA’s pending wages.

When pending MGNREGA wages have created massive anxieties throughout Tripura just ahead of Durga puja, notices reportedly received by many for social pensions’ slashes brining tears in eyes of poor.

A section of unpaid workers although received the wages but a major section yet left deprive whereas inequal wages payments were alleged too. This situation affected also the rural and urban economy, distressing the garment business.

Critical economic situations across markets in Tripura rural and urban bodies, aided by massive business losses at No-Customer, So-Sale like situations generating worries as if an Economic disaster is approaching towards.

Profit-Drought : To have accounts of the markets, recently TIWN surveyed various markets in capital city Agartala ahead of Durga puja but major areas of the Agartala city remained max-empty, less gathered. Vegetable markets which are on heated pans of high price tags, alleged by businessmen “Profit-Drought” situation.