The Opposition parties on Wednesday cornered the government in the Lok Sabha on the issue of rising prices of essential commodities and inflation, and the main party, the Bharatiya Janata Party, claimed that people would not tolerate the government if spiralling prices and corruption continued.
As Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was present in the Lok Sabha, BJP leader Yashwanta Sinha, who initiated a discussion on the motion under Rule 184 that entails voting, said corruption was the biggest setback of this government. He asked the government to act promptly to give relief to people, who were reeling under price rise, inflation and corruption.
Mr. Sinha said due to the increase in the prices of essential commodities, people had to spend an extra Rs.6 lakh crore in the last three years which, he alleged, had gone to profiteers, black-marketers, hoarders and the corrupt.
The UPA-II came to power in the name of “aam aadmi” (common man) but its policies were totally against their interests. Food inflation had crossed the single digit. “We will not accept inflation of more than 3 per cent.”
Referring to Union Ministers' repeated utterances that the annual growth rate had crossed 8 per cent, Mr. Sinha said: “you should not be too much passionate on growth rate.” If the inflation could not be controlled with the increasing growth rate, then such a growth rate was not required at all.
Janata Dal (United) leader Sharad Yadav asked the government to withdraw diesel subsidy, being enjoyed by car owners, telecom operators and malls. Diesel consumed by telecom towers was causing an estimated loss of Rs. 48 crore daily.
“Four lakh telecom towers are there in the country. They are enjoying Rs. 3.80 subsidy a litre, which is meant for farmers. Why are you giving subsidy to telecom operators, big malls, hotels and car owners,” he asked
“We should charge an additional amount of Rs. 4 a litre diesel from telecom operators and this should be distributed among farmers. Thus we can control the spiralling prices of essential commodities,'' he noted.
The JD(U) leader termed the government's “mindset” the one totally influenced by commercial and market interests that had only pushed up the number of poor in the country.
Impressive statistics, being quoted by the government, on the GDP growth were totally unrelated to the ground realities. “It is a jobless growth, it is not inclusive growth. You have to go back to the principles and policies of Gandhi and Lohia,” he said.
In a bid to blunt the Opposition attack, Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid defended a number of fiscal measures taken by the government to rein in prices. Such steps included reduction of import duties, suspension of futures trading in rice and certain pulses to rein in prices.
He admitted that inflation was on the rise since December last, but attributed it to the increase in the petroleum prices globally.
Mr. Khurshid also dismissed Opposition allegations that the government was pursuing growth at any cost. “We have learnt a great deal from the Prime Minister on growth strategies but we have never heard the concept of ‘growth at any rate.' We have to ensure enough growth that can allow us to help the poor. We do not believe in growth at any rate.''
The Minister said the government had taken a number of initiatives such as the rural jobs scheme, Indira Aawas Yojana, Right to Education, which was made possible due to the economic reforms. Quoting figures, he said high growth rate in agriculture, industry and service sector was used to launch pro-poor initiatives.
Criticising the government for its economic policies that he alleged caused price rise, Samajwadi Party leader Shailendra Kumar said diesel, petrol and cooking gas “are out of reach” of the common man.
BSP leader Dara Singh Chouhan accused the Centre of failing to understand the plight of the poor.
“The entire country is reeling under the problem of price rise. The rural poor are starving because of price rise effected by the policies of the Central government.”
T.K.S. Elangovan (DMK) blamed futures trading for rising prices. He said if the practice was not checked, people would continue to suffer.
The UPA ally also blamed the Centre for failing to control future trading markets.
Expressing dissatisfaction over the wording of the motion on price rise, the CPI moved an amendment, which wanted to highlight “government's failure” to check food inflation
Moves amendment
CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta moved an amendment to the motion, expressing deep concern over rising prices while participating in the debate.
He sought insertion of words, “and government's repeated failure to control the price rise, particularly of food products'' to be added to the motion, which expresses “deep concern” over price rise and calls upon the government to take immediate effective steps to check inflation that will give relief to common man.
