Editor,
I am submitting this letter addressed to the the deputy chief minister and finance minister.
Respected sir,
I am writing this letter to highlight a persistent issue that affects every household in our state: the illegal practice of surcharging on commodities sold with a maximum retail price (MRP). This is the second time I am bringing this matter to light, following my previous article published in this newspaper on 18 April, 2026.
It is the foremost duty of the state to protect its citizens from unfair trade practices. Currently, retailers across Arunachal Pradesh frequently charge prices well above the MRP. They often justify this by citing transportation costs or refrigeration expenses. To clear the situation, it must also be noted that many retailers claim they are forced to overcharge because wholesalers provide them with goods at rates very close to or equal to the MRP. This creates a chain of illegal pricing that needs to be investigated at both the wholesale and retail levels.
However, under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, selling any pre-packaged commodity above the printed MRP remains a clear violation of the law. This practice not only hurts the pockets of our local residents; it also harms our tourism industry. When visitors are overcharged at transit hubs or remote locations, it creates a negative impression of our hospitality. The common habit of rounding up prices due to a lack of small change leads to a significant loss for consumers over time.
For your information, the law is clear: the MRP already includes all taxes and profit margins for everyone in the supply chain. No additional surcharge can be legally added.
I urge your office and the Finance Department to take strict action against this illegal surcharging, and to investigate the pricing structures between wholesalers and retailers. Ensuring that businesses comply with the law and respect the MRP is essential for the economic wellbeing of our people and the reputation of our state.
A concerned citizen