It is said that the government’s strategy of market intervention was bombed.
It is said that the government’s strategy of market intervention was bombed.
The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) on Wednesday accused the state government of lacking urgency, compassion or ability to curb rising prices of essential commodities in the open market.
Congress MLA Rosie, seeking the permission of the Assembly for an adjournment motion on the livelihood crisis due to inflation. M. John said the government’s market intervention strategy was set up to control retail prices through agencies like Suplacco. The public distribution system had failed the people miserably.
Food and Civil Supplies Minister GR Anil said that the allegations have no merit. Therefore, it had raised the trumped-up charge for the lack of credible prosecutions against the government.
Shri Anil highlighted the difference between the price of essential commodities at Supplyco outlets and in the open market. The government had spent ₹1,853 crore on subsidies to stabilize the price of the unavoidable provisions. The administration provided free provisioning kits at a cost of ₹6,000 crore to the population during COVID-19. The Center gave zero assistance.
He said that the UDF has no moral right to speak about the PDS system. “Congress leader KV Thomas as Union Food and Civil Supplies Minister had pulled thousands of families out of the PDS trap by removing BPL and APL ration cards. Mr. Thomas instead introduced a complex system. We are still grappling with the problems caused by the shift”, he said.
Legislators from the ruling party attempted to blunt the opposition’s attack by saying that the Congress eroded the government’s control over the consumer-end price of auto fuel.
The BJP built on the foundation laid by the Congress by further de-regulating the prices of petrol and diesel. It ruthlessly left citizens vulnerable to the uncertainties of the international crude oil market. The Center easily passed on the volatility in the oil market to the domestic consumer. The Congress had not uttered a word of criticism against the BJP.
Leader of the Opposition VD Satisan said the opposition had only sounded an alarm and stressed the need to curb price hikes due to inflationary pressures resulting from various factors, including the pandemic and the current war in Europe.
“Can the minister say that Supplyco fully meets the needs of the people? Citizens rely more on private traders than on government shops. Hoarding and rigging in the market are also reasons for the rise in prices.
Speaker MB Rajesh refused to allow the motion.