Concern raised in LS over price rise

Concern was raised in Lok Sabha over the rise in prices of food items, particularly the sharp increase in rates of pulses, with a member saying "dal has become more expensive than chicken".
P Karunakaran (CPM), while initiating discussion on price rise, said "Dal prices have risen significantly...Dal has become more expensive than chicken."
Average price of pulses has gone up to Rs 220 per kg, he said, adding, high prices of pulses has forced people to cut down their daily intake.
The member from Kerala also raised concern with regard to rising prices of other food items including rice, wheat and onion.

"It is difficult to understand as to how 12 per cent deficit in rainfall can be attributed to 100 per cent increase in prices of food items," he said.
Welcoming the decision of the government to create buffer stock for pulses, he said, there is also need to increase the minimum support price for this.

The government should extend the buffer stock scheme in the other food items as well, he said, adding other initiatives like adequate subsidy, low interest rate credit facility would help in keeping prices low.
"The best method to control price rise is PDS (public distribution system) system," he said.

He also criticised the government for raising excise duty on petrol and diesel for sixth time despite declining price of global crude oil prices.
The government yesterday raised excise duty on petrol by Rs 0.30 per litre and by Rs 1.17 a litre on diesel.
Last government was putting blame on increasing crude oil prices for price rise, he said, adding it is difficult to understand rising trend at a time when petroleum prices are low.
"When crude oil prices have come down by about 60 per cent...Why this government is not able to transfer this to common people," he said.

While he was speaking, some opposition members questioned why Finance Minister Arun Jaitley was not present in the House since the discussion was taking place over such an important issue of price rise.
"Is the Finance Minister involved in cricket," asked Saugata Roy (TMC).
Salvaging the situation, Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Ram Vilas Paswan said his ministry also takes care of food prices.
Praising the intervention of Karunakaran, Paswan said "along with criticism I would request members to come up with some suggestion for the government to deal with price rise."
Karunkaran said the government should realise the pain of the people in time otherwise it will have to face negative consequences.

"You got the answer in Bihar, Gujarat, MP...When they feel they will react. More dangerous days are ahead," he added.
The discussion will continue tomorrow.