This refers to the ruckus between Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi at the Chief Ministers’ conference on food inflation which turned out to be, for most part, a blame game between the Centre and the States. It is not only Mr. Modi but also all those who voted the Congress-led UPA to power who have the right to demand that that the party fulfil its electoral promise of supplying rice or wheat to the poor at Rs. 3 a kg.
Food prices have never been this high. Pulses, grams, wheat, rice and vegetables, which make up the staple diet of most Indians, have already gone out of the common man’s reach. The situation has not come about merely due to a spurt in demand. It is the failure of the Centre to anticipate the crisis and provide leadership to the States that has led to it.
P. Krishnan, Puttaparthy
The concern expressed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over the increase in the prices of essential food commodities, though belated, is welcome. It shows that the UPA government is seriously seized of the matter. But one wonders why it has failed to arrest the increasing price rise. While the Centre and the States blame each other, it is the aam aadmi who bears the brunt of inflation.
S. Nallasivan, Tirunelveli
