Likening price rise to natural disasters such as earthquake and heavy rain, Finance Minister K. Anbazhagan on Wednesday asked CPI (M) to suggest measures to control the hike in the price of essential commodities and find out those responsible for the situation.
Intervening during a debate by CPI (M) Legislature Party leader K. Balabharathi on the Governor's address, he wondered who could be punished for earthquake and heavy rain.
Mr Anbazhagan said while sharing her concern for increase in the price of vegetables and essential commodities, the House would appreciate if those well-versed in economic theory, especially in Marxian principles, suggested ways to control the price rise.
He said it would be a great service if they explained what sort of capitalism should be eradicated to bring down the price of drumsticks or which trader should be brought to book to cool down the onion price. “The hike in the price of brinjals had not only affected the communists but everyone,” he said, pointing out how some countries had stopped export of onion because of differences of opinion with the importing countries.
Ms. Balabharathi's allegation was that the failure of the Centre and the State government to rein in hoarding and prevent online trading had led to the hike in the price of essential commodities. She said the price of vegetables such as tomato and onion had gone beyond the reach of ordinary people and they were no longer purchasing vegetables in bulk.
“They buy one tomato or one drumstick,” she said, alleging that the Centre's decision to allow 24 per cent of onions for export had led to the present situation.
Congress whip Peter Alphonse said on the one hand farmers were demanding a good price for their produce and on the other consumers were complaining about the increase in the price. “Farmers can get good price through exports,” he said.
Reiterating her argument that online trading and hoarding were the two issues causing the entire problem, Ms. Balabharathi wanted to know what steps the Tamil Nadu government had taken to control the price rise since the Centre had urged the State governments to take steps in this regard.
Food Minister E.V. Velu said distribution of essential commodities through ration shops had provided a great relief to the people.
