Haryana/Panchkula, September 15:- Jananayak Janata Party Panchkula District President OP Sihag said that continuously rising prices of vegetables, fruits and food items have spoiled the taste of the kitchen and palate of the common and poor people. He said that while the sudden rise in the price of sugar in recent days had made people’s tea taste bitter, onions are now being sold at Rs 70 per kg, tomatoes at Rs 60 per kg and ginger at Rs 160 per kg. Similarly, rising prices of garlic, potatoes and other seasonal vegetables, along with the high prices of mangoes, apples, guavas, bananas, oranges and other fruits, have severely burdened common people. He said that farmers producing vegetables and fruits and consumers using them are the ones who suffer the most. Farmers who produce vegetables/fruits receive very low prices, while those who consume them have to pay very high prices. He said that only middlemen benefit from more than half of the price and continue to enjoy the profits.
OP Sihag said that unemployment is at its peak across the country and the state, people’s businesses are facing a slowdown and incomes are continuously declining, while inflation is rising constantly like the mouth of Surasa. He said that while the increased prices of petrol, diesel and gas had recently hit the pockets of common people, the increased rates of food items are now further emptying their pockets. OP Sihag said that according to a report, the country’s retail inflation rate rose to 4.82% in August from 4.45% in July. Sihag said that the inflation rate was 0.71% in November last year and has now increased sevenfold. He said that this directly means that every item required by the common man, including vegetables and groceries, is being sold at higher prices. He said that figures released by the Central Government on Monday show that retail inflation in rural areas stood at 5.23% in August, compared to 4.84% in July. According to the report, in urban areas it increased from 3.96% in July to 4.31%.
JJP District President OP Sihag said that food inflation is at its highest level in the last four years. He said that on the other hand, the wholesale inflation rate also increased to 9.92% in August, due to which not only food items continue to remain expensive, but the cost of production in industries is also increasing. JJP District President Sihag urged the state and Central Governments to understand their responsibility and, keeping the interests of the common people in mind, take steps to control the rising prices of food items. He warned the government not to test the patience of the middle class and poor people, saying that if they, fed up with unemployment and continuously rising inflation, begin to raise their voice against the government, it could cost the government its position.