New Delhi, November 26
Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee today ruled out any serious attempt by the government to curb inflation.
Intervening in the debate on price rise in the Lok Sabha, the FM took on a united and extended Opposition ---- including the Left, the SP, the BSP, the RJD and the BJD, all on one side --- blaming the wrong fiscal policies of the UPA government for the skyrocketing prices of essential commodities.
Mukherjee stood up when speaker after speaker from the opposition benches attacked the government for being obsessed with higher GDP. “It is being
said that the government is too obsessed with the GDP. This conclusion is not correct,” said Pranab, adding, “We want to achieve a higher GDP. But this is also linked to higher income generation.”
He claimed that the Rs 71,000-crore loan waiver for farmers or Rs 100 as wages per day for labour under NREGA could not have been possible without this high GDP.
“In a growing economy, there will be an inflationary pressure. When it goes beyond tolerable limit, some action will be taken,” he added. Pranab tried to put the Opposition in the dock over its claims stating that the price e rise was largely due to higher remuneration to farmers.
“We took decisions which had impact on prices of essential commodities. We have increased the MSP of rice from Rs 550 in 2003-04 to Rs 1,000,” he stated. Virtually mocking at the Opposition demand to contain prices of essential commodities, he said, “I fix higher price for purchase of wheat, rice and sugarcane and then sell these at a fixed price!”
However, Mukherjee’s ridicule did not deter Jagatanand Singh of the RJD to remind the government of its “constitutional mandate” and asking it not to “shirk its responsibility.”
“Price rise has created an anarchy in the country. The godowns are full but still prices of essential commodities are hitting the roof. It is all because of hoarding by traders. The government is responsible and even if the states are not being able to control it, the Centre cannot absolve itself of its responsibility. Why hold the discussion if the Central government and the Parliament has no powers to act?” rued the RJD leader in one of his maiden speeches in Parliament. The debate saw a rare unity among perceived rivals with the SP and the BSP both simultaneously challenging Congress claims.
