By: Sikander Kushwaha
Recently two news related to food items is in headlines of media which will affect the majority of our citizens. First was that, Last ended week February 16, food inflationalmost hit 18 percent on the basis of India’s whole sale prices index. As per official figures of the Commerce Ministry, the annual rise in the price index for food articles was 17.94 per centfor the previous week periods. Food inflation raised continually fourth consecutive week despite of assurances from thegovernment that food prices would soon start coming down.
Prices of essential items continued to move up, with vegetables dearer by 20.93 percent, potatoes by 40.57percent, pulses by 41.24 percent and fruits by 10.39 percent over the 52-week period. After the release of these data government had once again assured and shown confidence that price of food price will go down.
Second news was, on 18th February finally government had given the green signal to increasing urea prices by 10per cent and allowed manufacturers to fix retail rates of di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) and muriate of potash (MOP), and 10 other complex fertilizers. The new prices will take effect from 1st day of April. The new policy has adopted on the basis of recommendations made by a ministerial group and Fertiliser Association of India (FAI).
One side government of India assuring to the citizens that in coming days price of food item will go down after the harvesting of Ravi crop, on the other hand government is deregulating the price of fertilizers, and allowed companies to hike price by 10% . Now Urea is sold at Rs 483, DAP at Rs 935 and MOP at Rs 445.50 a quintal. From April 1, it will be available at Rs 531.30. In case there is a 5 per cent increase in potassic and phosphatic fertilisers, the price of DAP will go up to Rs 981.75 and that of MOP to Rs 467.97.
As we know that correlation between prices of urea and price of food item is positive, then how government is expecting prices of food item will slashed down. I feel government do not serious about this matter, and only want to provide profits to the firms (Tata Chemicals, Deepak Fertilisers, Chambal Fertilisers, Zuari Industries as also the government-owned National Fertilizers, Rastriya Chemicals & Fertilisers, Gujarat Narmada Fertilisers Corporation and Gujarat State Fertilisers Corporation.) at the cost of millions of farmer and citizens.
It is correct that government should reduce the subsidy to make farmer and Indian agriculture competitive in WTO regime but is it right time/way to take such kind of anti people decision? Our farmer are all ready over burden with several problems, another burden compel them to suicide. Hence we can not expect from them to sell their product at lower cost.
Lastly I must predict that in near future we are going to face harder inflation then now if government do not take necessary action immediately to check the food lead inflation.
No comments:
Post a Comment