Meghalaya reels under pressure

The market revival in Meghalaya just seems not to be on track.

After the end of the festive season, channel partners in the state were optimist about Shillong recovering its distribution as well as retail momentum as sales in November were perceived to get a boost.

However, the state not just slided down on the retail front, distribution and supplies also saw a downturn.

"We had expected the market scenario to improve in November but it just did not happen. The inflation and the rising prices are partly to be blamed. On one hand, we are losing business and on the other the operational costs are pushing up. Also, I don't see any revival to happen soon here", said Rajiv Kalra of Indian Export and Import Company.

For Kalra, like most of the other channel partners in Meghalaya, distribution revenues alone in November had dipped by Rs. 41 lakhs.

Adding to the injury of falling retail and distribution revenues, the state government too, which is the largest buyer of local IT products is now on a halt and is not making adequate purchases or issuing tenders.

Local traders feel that the move from the government is primarily on account of the upcoming elections when normally purchases and tenders slows down or is put to a halt. The same has been the case with Tripura.

Channel partners in Meghalaya feel that the situation is going to remain bleak in the near future.