Eggs cost Rs 10 because of ‘Gunda Tax’: Akhil Gogoi targets Assam minister, BTC chief

Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi on July 9 alleged that the sharp rise in egg and other commodity prices in Assam is being driven by an illegal “syndicate tax” or "Gunda Tax" collected at entry points along the Assam–West Bengal border, and demanded immediate closure of the alleged network.

Addressing reporters during a protest, Gogoi claimed that eggs sold in Guwahati for Rs 8.50 to Rs 10 each should actually cost no more than Rs 5.75, citing the National Egg Coordination Committee’s benchmark price.

He alleged that trucks carrying commodities into Assam through the Srirampur and Boxirhat gates are being forced to pay illegal charges, which are ultimately passed on to consumers.

“In Guwahati, one egg costs around Rs 8.50 to Rs 10, whereas the National Egg Coordination Committee has said that one egg should cost not more than Rs 5.75. The reason for this rise is that when commodity trucks enter Assam through Srirampur and Boxirhat, a syndicate gate has been set up where Rs 3 is charged per egg,” Gogoi alleged.

The Raijor Dal leader further accused Assam Cabinet Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah
and BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary of patronising the alleged syndicate. No response was immediately available from either leader regarding the allegations.

Gogoi said the alleged illegal collections were not limited to eggs but also affected broiler chicken, fish, fruits, rice, pulses and other essential commodities entering Assam. He further alleged that commodities moving out of Assam, including dry areca nut (betel nut), were also subjected to illegal charges.

“The list goes on for broiler chicken, fish, fruits, rice, dal and pulses. Even dry betel nuts going out of Assam are allegedly charged Rs 60 per kilogram,” he claimed.

Comparing prices with the national capital, Gogoi said eggs are available in Delhi at around Rs 6.50 each, while consumers in Assam are paying nearly Rs 10.

“In Delhi, you get an egg at around Rs 6.50, but here it is Rs 10 because Rs 3 is allegedly being taken through this syndicate system,” he said.

Demanding a crackdown on the alleged network, Gogoi said prices of essential commodities would come down only if the “illegal syndicate” was dismantled.

The state government has not yet issued an official response to the allegations made by the Sivasagar MLA.