Condemning the NDA Government at the Centre for the misery of common man due to price rise, Congress leaders on Sunday blamed the policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that had led to increased prices of all essential products.
Listing out the policies of the Centre that have led to price rise, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and KPCC president D.K. Shivakumar in a joint press conference said that the Centre intends to collect ₹3,600 crore by increasing the DAP rate by ₹3 per kg. “The Narendra Modi-led Government that promised to double farmers income by 2022 is exploiting them,” they said.
Procurement issues
Giving an example, the two leaders pointed out that ragi procurement under MSP in Karnataka had left out a large number of farmers. “Though there is a demand to procure half of 15 lakh tonnes produced this season, the Government has set a target of procuring only 2.1 lakh tonnes. Even this has not been achieved with only 1.9 lakh tonnes being procured so far. The difference between the MSP for ragi and prevailing market price is a whopping ₹1,700 to ₹1,800 per quintal,” said Mr. Siddaramaiah, adding that similar situation prevailed with jowar, toor, paddy and other crops.
While corporate tax has been reduced from 35% to 22% to help corporates, they said that petrol and diesel prices have increased by 203% and 531%, respectively. “LPG, which cost ₹414 during UPA now has touched ₹1,000. Between November and March, petroleum price was controlled though oil companies are autonomous. Petrol and diesel price has been increased by ₹7.1 a litre in last 12 days,” said Mr. Shivakumar
Diversionary tactics
The two leaders also pointed out that the cost of essential medicines have increased by 10%. “Communally sensitive issues are being raked up to divert attention from the price rise and venomous thoughts are instilled in people mind,” said Mr. Siddaramaiah.
