Government on price rise: no need to panic

There is no shortage of supplies but hoarders are taking huge cuts and the Government has already initiated steps to sternly deal with them, Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said in the Lok Sabha.

He was replying to a discussion in which the Opposition attacked the Government on not controlling price rise. Paswan said the Government would control price rise despite below normal monsoon and there was no need for panic, adding that prices of some commodities, such as onion and potato, are generally high during the lean period between June to September.

Congress members staged a walkout as they were dissatisfied with the reply. Earlier, Congress leader Amarinder Singh reminded the Government of its two key promises — checking price rise and corruption.

Singh called for an immediate ban on onion exports until the supply situation improved. “Along with this, the Government should come out with a price support mechanism so that farmers do not suffer,” he said.

BJP’s Anurag Thakur said Congress’ criticism was like a ‘self-goal,’ as it was because of UPA policies and ‘misrule’ that prices were rising. CPI(M) member P Karunakaran criticised both Congress and the BJP. “Congress wants a support mechanism, but why did they not do that when they were in power for 10 years?” he said. He criticised the BJP for riding to power on the issue. “Now, Modi should show sincerity in fulfilling his poll promises,” he added.

AIADMK’s M Thambidurai attacked the Congress for demanding a discussion on price rise. “When in power, it (Congress) was not supportive of debates on the subject,” he said.

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