Chandigarh, March 4
Four days after the Budget was presented by union finance minister P.Chidambaram, people of the poor, lower and upper-middle classes have begun to feel the heat. Spiralling prices of essential commodities have hit people hard.
“All benefits extended to various sections of society in the Budget by Chidambaram are being washed off by the spiralling prices of essential goods,” said Surinder Singh, a middle-rung employee in a government department.
Prices of refined oils have skyrocketed. In the past few days, the prices have gone up to Rs 70 per litre. About five weeks ago, refined oil was selling for Rs 50 per litre. A shopkeeper, Raman Kumar, said: “Every time we approach the bulk suppliers of refined oils, they quote a new price”.
Mustard oil is selling at Rs 70 per litre. Its price has gone up by Rs 10 per litre in the past few days. Unrefined oils are selling almost at the price of refined oil. Poor people, especially in states of West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Bihar, use the mustard oil.
The price of desi ghee has gone up by Rs 5 per kg. Most of the desi ghee brands are selling at a price of Rs 150 or Rs 170 per kg. Only a few weeks ago, prices of petrol and diesel have been enhanced.
The price of lowest quality rice, consumed by poor sections of society in rice eating states, has gone up to Rs 17 per kg from Rs 11 per kg a few days ago. Likewise, the price of good quality
rice has also gone up by Rs 10 per kg to Rs 45. Pulses have registered a considerable increase. “Masar” price has gone up to Rs 50 from Rs 40 per a kg and “mah sabat” price has gone up to Rs 44 from Rs 38 per kg. Gram dal has registered an increase of Rs 8 per kg.
Though the Food Corporation of India (FCI) has enough stock of wheat and new crop is about to be harvested in three weeks, the price of wheat flour has registered an increase of Rs 10 for a bag weighing 10 kg. It is perhaps because of the increase in the floor price of wheat. The government has fixed the floor price of wheat at Rs 1,000 per quintal. There is a possibility of Rs 100 per quintal as bonus for farmers.
Prices of ordinary soaps used to wash utensils, etc, have also increased. “Weight of soap has been reduced by companies while the price increased. A packet of three soaps is now available for Rs 34 whereas its earlier price was Rs 30. The weight of the packet of three soaps has been reduced by 400 grams”, said Gurmukh Singh, a local shopkeeper.
If not controlled, the inflation is expected to become a big issue and it will be difficult for the UPA government to defend it.
