In a time when the lives of ordinary people are being battered mercilessly by the skyrocketing prices of essentials as the food inflation rate has been increasing non-stop for the last 18 months, major political parties, unfortunately, are trading blame about who is responsible for this cost of living crisis. The political blame game offers no solution, rather only adds to the bewilderment and disappointment of the people The last thing expected by the people is for the price hike of essentials to become political sound bites, which doesn't address the rumbling in their stomachs, solves nothing, but adds insult to their injuries.
For argument's sake, let's suppose some political quarters are deliberately manipulating the prices to increase people's misery to make the government unpopular. But does it go to the government's credit that it is so vulnerable to manipulation in the vital areas of governance? Understandably, those quarters may try to capitalise on the government's weakness in order to score political points. In a mature democracy, however, the wellbeing of the people comes first and foremost and is never sacrificed in their blame game. The government is in position of power to ensure the welfare of the people. If any political party can do what it likes, such as price manipulation and control the supply of food essentials, what message is that transmitting to the government? The government has the power to act.
Any quarter may take advantage of a situation, but the government controls the levers of correctives, like implementing anti-hoarding laws, market monitoring, regulating the supply of a commodity through market intervention, providing fiscal incentives or disincentives, subsidising production where necessary, importing a commodity and so on.
The government is already armed with at least eight laws that were enacted to protect the rights of consumers and to stabilise the supply and prices of essential commodities in the market. The extensive legal framework includes the Consumer Rights Protection Act 2009, Competition Act 2012, the Control of Essential Commodities Act 1956, Food Safety Act 2013, Agriculture Marketing Policy 2021 etc. A multitude of entities such as Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP), the Competition Commission, special task force, and mobile courts are there to enforce the laws. The effectiveness of this seemingly robust framework remains questionable, however, as consumers continue to face price manipulation and exorbitant costs.
Consumers' rights are constantly violated everywhere. There isn't a single field where people are not being cheated and are compelled to buy essential items to feed their families at unfair prices. They risk their lives under the fake doctors. They submit to the whims of the transport owners and workers, and they're even hoodwinked into buying adulterated food items. So, it is evident the Consumers Rights Protection Act 2009 has miserably failed to protect people's rights to safe food and services, or the government has failed to implement it judiciously.
The blame rests squarely upon the shoulders of the government regulators. Consumer rights advocates and analysts have long decried the ineffectiveness of existing frameworks, highlighting how traders exploit regulatory gaps to manipulate markets and drive prices beyond consumers' reach. Reports from regulatory bodies highlight monopolistic practices and price manipulation in various sectors, from poultry to sugar and everything else in between. However, the lack of swift and decisive action by the concerned authorities perpetuates a cycle of consumer exploitation.
It's imperative, therefore, for the government to shift its focus to proactive regulatory enforcement. Consumer rights activists often highlight the structural weaknesses and inadequate manpower within government bodies tasked to safeguard consumer rights. They think the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection first needs to be invigorated to empower and enable it to execute the colossal task it's been assigned. Besides, strengthening oversight mechanisms, enhancing coordination among regulatory bodies, and imposing stringent penalties on violators are essential steps in restoring consumer confidence and ensuring market fairness.
Ultimately, the crux of the issue lies not in enacting laws, but in enforcing them rigorously. Failure to do so allows price manipulation syndicates to thrive, exacerbating the plight of ordinary citizens. As Ramadan approaches, the prospect of further price hikes looms large. So, the urgency of effective regulatory intervention cannot be overstated.
Curbing the price hike of essentials is the first major challenge faced by the new government. The governmemt must address the real issues at hand and demonstrate its commitment to protecting consumers. Failure to do so not only signifies a defeat, but also emboldens market manipulators. It's time for the government to deliver on its promise of meaningful change by prioritising the welfare of its citizens.
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