Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 131/23

MONITORING INFORMATION SYSTEM DASHBOARD ON RETAIL PRICES LAUNCHED IN THE STATE

Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister, Comingone Ymbon today launched a Monitoring Information System on Retail Prices of 22 essential commodities in the State, at a programme held at Main Secretariat Building, Shillong. The Dashboard is a first of its kind and is part of the partnership between the Department of Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Government of Meghalaya and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), India.

As part of the technical expertise provided by the World Food Programme (WFP), India, the Department would be able to have a dashboard to process the data that is captured by the districts regarding the daily prices of 22 essential commodities in the open market regularly. The Dashboard offers a dynamic range of data visibility capturing the variations in retail prices (increase/decrease/No change) in Map and table view on a daily and weekly basis making it simple and easy for the viewers to interpret information and be updated on the latest price trends. With technology evolving at a faster pace, the dashboard would help in making data driven decisions based on consistent data being fed from the districts which would help identify the price trend to take course correction. By using such a dashboard, the data is presented in dynamic visual infographics for effective decision making and efficiency.

The system will facilitate control of pricing and curb the problem of price rise which has impacted the citizens in the State. The initiative will also go a long way in ensuring that the food grains and commodities are sold at an affordable price, so the public especially those from the marginalized and impoverished communities can gain access to proper food and commodities.

The programme was also attended by representative and Country Director for WFP in India, Ms. Elisabeth Faure and Director, Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, I. W. Ingty among others.