Oppn targets govt again, says silent hike in prices of commodities bid to mask inflation

Pune: After fuel prices were increased again on Monday, the opposition hit out at the Centre, claiming that govt is not giving a clear picture of the economic situation and is silently increasing prices of essential commodities, adding to the people’s burden.

Petrol and diesel prices were hiked by nearly 90 paise on Monday. This is the second fuel price hike within a week after global crude oil prices rose due to the ongoing Middle East conflict. In the last week, fuel prices were hiked by Rs 3 in the country.

State Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal said, “The BJP is interested more in converting every issue into an event rather than providing relief to the people. Govt has not taken any decisive steps to control inflation.”

Sapkal warned of a statewide agitation if govt fails to control the prices of essential commodities. “We are told that the Middle East war is the cause for the rising prices of commodities in the country. However, inflation has been rising even before the war started. Agrarian crisis is deepening. We will have to come on the streets for the people if govt fails to control inflation,” he added.

Various ministers, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have reduced the number of vehicles in their convoys as an austerity measure. Govt has appealed to the people to take up similar initiatives to limit the use of fuel consumption. The opposition parties have criticised the govt, especially its BJP members over such appeals.

Economic policies have failed: Raut

When the BJP was in the opposition, their members would hit the streets in protest against any fuel price hike. Now, when they are in govt, they are asking people to sacrifice their travel and keep bearing the brunt of inflation. Due to the govt’s failed economic policies, people are going to suffer even more as fuel prices will spike further

Sanjay Raut I Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha member

The problem has come up due to the war in the Middle East but the Union and state govts are taking all steps to keep the situation under control. Govt has a stock of fuel which will suffice for a month and therefore, there is no need to panic

Chhagan Bhujbal I State food and civil supplies minister