Kendrapara: Demonetisation of high value currencies has left the fishermen community high and dry with the shortage of low value currencies forcing them to sell fish at throwaway prices. The situation can be gauged from the fact that a kg of Hilsa now costs Rs 270 in Kharanashi and Paradip markets.
“The rates of several varieties of fish have come down by 20 to 30 per cent due to scrapped high denomination notes and insufficient lower currency available among people,” said Narayan Haldar, a fishermen leader of Mahakalapara.
Meanwhile, a report from Mahakalapara block said the 12 days of cash crisis has forced the people of coastal pockets to resort to barter system to trade essential goods. “Ice cream vendors, puffed rice vendors, fish sellers and vegetable vendors can be seen exchanging their items for vegetables, paddy, earthen pots and black gram from villagers,” said Hemanta Swain, a resident of Giranga.
“I provide grocery items and in return take rice for the same value from my customers due to shortage of low value currencies,” said Arun Swain, a grocer of Palaspur. PNN
