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The
runaway increase in prices of foodstuff and essential commodities
has had a cascading effect on all human needs. The poor are the
hardest hit by this, while the rich are reaping the benefits. This
is unjustified and unfortunate, reflecting very clearly the utter
failure in the management of the economy by the UPA Government.
There can be no justification for foodstuff costing more,
particularly since the agricultural economy, by the government’s
own claim, has showed record growth. Agricultural production
during 2007-08 reached record levels. So, why is there not a fall
in prices? The reason: inefficiency in the distribution system.
This government is finding comfort behind statistics on food price
rise in other countries, which is akin to rubbing salt on the
wounds of the struggling middle and lower classes. Instead of
making the Public Distribution System more accountable and
cracking down on food hoarders, they are actually allowing
speculators to make bigger profits by continuing with forward
trade.
I think
that a long-term solution to prices must be evolved. This can be
done by monitoring the markets on a daily basis. The ministers
must force the senior officers to personally visit all supply
points and see for themselves if there is slippage in the system.
The intelligence arm of the Enforcement Branch should be
strengthened. The rationing system must be made more efficient and
there should be day-to-day tightening of the centre-to-state flow
of funds. All forms of speculative trade must be banned because it
is immoral to profiteer through the hardships of the people. Last
but not least, the entry of multinationals and organised big
business in the food retail trade must be checked. Though this
benefits the consumers in the short term, the farmers get
exploited in the long run. The government’s cooperative food and
provisions stores are languishing because of inactivity and
neglect. These can greatly benefit the lower income groups and
must be infused with new life. Mobile shops must be increased. |
