Hyderabad: Expressing concern over the spiraling prices of vegetables and other essential commodities, especially in Hyderabad, HCCC Minorities Department Chairman Sameer Waliullah urged the State Government to take immediate measures on war footing basis to bring down the prices of vegetables and other items.
In a media statement here today, he said the State Government could not wash off its hands by supplying onions at subsidized prices of Rs 25 per kg. He said the officials could create awareness among farmers and make arrangements that their produce was not lost/damaged in unseasonal rains. State Government should make special arrangements for the transportation of vegetables and other goods from farm/godowns to market to reduce the prices. He requested the government to explore for permanent solutions instead of giving temporary relief to common people.
He said the prices of vegetables, edible oil, and other commodities have increased by over 50% in the last year. While the seasonal fluctuation in prices was a common phenomenon in the past, the fall in prices of many commodities was not so deep compared to their inclination. The prices of many items have touched new records. For instance, one kg of onion would cost nearly Rs. 200. He said it was the responsibility of the State Government to keep track of demand and supply position of all commodities, including vegetables.
He said that the government should’ve market intelligence or rough estimates of the number of major vegetables and edible items likely to be supplied in markets in a particular month/season and accordingly decide on importing the product from other States in case of likely shortage. However, he said instead of being ‘responsive’ and ‘responsible’, State Government was ‘reactionary’ in nature. The official reaction is so late that the damage is already done.
He also pointed out that the prices of vegetables had gone up during the strike of RTC employees. Small farmers, who sell vegetables, in small quantities, we’re unable to commute and reach the market from far away villages. They were forced to travel in private vehicles and therefore, they sold theirs produces at higher prices to recover the transportation cost. However, he said the situation did not change even after the end of RTC strike as State Government increased the fare by 20 paise per kilometer.
Sameer Waliullah said that the petrol prices in Hyderabad today is Rs. 79.81 per liter. This was Rs. 74.44 per liter on December 11, 2018. Therefore, despite fluctuations, it has increased by Rs. 5.37 per liter. Similarly, the diesel prices have increased by Rs. 1.81 per liter from Rs. 70.26 on December 11, 2018 to Rs. 72.07 per liter today. This has a multiplier effect on almost all aspects of life. Consequently, the monthly expenditure of all poor and middle-class families has increased by almost 20-25% compared to last year while their incomes have remained the same. Thousands of people have also lost their jobs and livelihood due to the wrong economic policies of both Central and State Governments.
