Food price situation 'serious' in India
Thursday, 10 December 2009
NEW DELHI, Dec 9 (PTI): The Government of India Tuesday admitted that the situation on food prices is "quite serious" even as the Opposition blamed it for "inaction". "The situation is quite serious ....certainly disturbing," Food and Agriculture Minister of India Sharad Pawar said in the Rajya Sabha, the Upper House of the Indian Parliament, replying to a debate on the issue of price rise. While Pawar hoped prices of onion, tur and potato would come down in the near future, the combined Opposition staged a walk- out, dissatisfied with the reply.
"UPA had said we will control prices within 100 days of coming to power" but it failed to do so, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader S S Ahluwalia said before he led the walk-out. The Left parties too joined the walk-out.
"Political will and sensibilities to the plight of common man is missing," Kalraj Mishra (BJP) said, asking whether the government was "helpless and hapless" before black marketers and hoarders.
Pawar said while no link has been established between prices and futures trading, the Indian government would not take a chance. The ban on futures trading in sugar, rice and tur would remain in operation till prices come down. Food inflation crossed 17 per cent in the third week of November causing hardship to the common household. While sugar is selling at Rs 38-40 a kg, tur is available above Rs 90 a kg in the retail market.
"UPA had said we will control prices within 100 days of coming to power" but it failed to do so, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader S S Ahluwalia said before he led the walk-out. The Left parties too joined the walk-out.
"Political will and sensibilities to the plight of common man is missing," Kalraj Mishra (BJP) said, asking whether the government was "helpless and hapless" before black marketers and hoarders.
Pawar said while no link has been established between prices and futures trading, the Indian government would not take a chance. The ban on futures trading in sugar, rice and tur would remain in operation till prices come down. Food inflation crossed 17 per cent in the third week of November causing hardship to the common household. While sugar is selling at Rs 38-40 a kg, tur is available above Rs 90 a kg in the retail market.