High prices of essential commodities

The sky-rocketing price of essential supplies and vegetables has crippled the common people of Kerala at present. Even a single cup of costs Rs 5 at a way-side tea vendor which was Rs 3 two months back. The tea shop owner could not be blamed as he is not able to sell below this price as the cost of milk, sugar and tea has soared up. The rice and even tapioca cost high. The disorder in the current market created by traders and hoarders are a sufficient reason for this high price. The failure of the government to arrest the price rise of essential commodities is very much visible. Certainly prices have an uptrend all over India, but the local government finds it time to abuse the Central Government instead of taking action to control the high level price. There is not even a single instance of police raid at hoarders’ premises to locate the illegal storage of food items aimed at increasing price of commodities. Locally produced vegetables in Kerala too costs high because of flood or draught elsewhere in the country.

To arrest the price hike of essential commodities and vegetables steps such as vigilance raid may be conducted at selected destinations. . A refusal of highly priced commodities can be also practiced by common people for the time being. When sardine fish costs only Rs 30 per kg why people run for code fish that costs Rs 300 per kg? The unauthorized tax collection on commodities by some corrupt persons should be regularly cracked down by the government with iron hand. The Food and Civil Supplies department should keep a watch on the price of essential commodities and verify the traders’ justification of price hike. The so called ‘corruption free’ paraphernalia introduced by the Finance Minister of Kerala at border sales tax check posts should be overviewed by the Chief Minister and an amicable way out for the present imbroglio at check posts should be sorted out. As corruption and inefficiency of the bureaucracy are the main reasons for all mishaps in the State, with strict implementation of rules corruption can be checked and price rise could be effectively controlled.

Chief Minister VS, though not an economist, is able to understand the misery of the common people. Nevertheless, his econometrical and realty- business friendly colleagues do not allow him to perform. One hopes his next step is to cut short the failure of his government and to contain the price rise and the bureaucracy as well.

K A Solaman