Even if you are paying Rs 25-30 for a kilo of onion and up to Rs 20 for a kilo of potato, don’t fret and fume, because the country is witnessing “galloping growth” at the rate of 8-9 per cent and the price index is going down, all of which will ultimately benefit the humble farmer.
That, in short, is what the ruling Congress said on Thursday on the issue of price rise, in what was almost reminiscent of the NDA’s government’s ‘India Shining’ campaign that proved to be a major reason for its downfall in the 2004 General election. “Anybody with any objectivity and respect for truth has to open newspapers to find out that we are a country galloping with 8-9 per cent growth,” AICC spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said in response to queries from the media about rampant rise in prices of vegetables in recent times, particularly of onion and potatoes, the two most important ingredients for any Indian housewife.
Responding to a question about UPA’s outside ally CPI’s plans to launch protests against spiralling prices, he said: “The overall situation is of diminishing prices and galloping growth. Prices are not rising, the price index is falling”.
His comments even prompted some media personnel to ask when was the last time he had personally visited the vegetable market or the grocery store, as he was badgered with questions connected to his comments.
Wheat imports
The Congress also sought to distance itself from the other politically-sensitive issue of wheat imports, on which CPM leader Brinda Karat has written to the Prime Minister seeking an inquiry, with Mr Singhvi saying Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar would respond on it.
In fact, he first claimed that Mr Pawar had already made a statement in Parliament on the matter, but when pointed out by media personnel that no such statement had been made, he said the latest import order was implementation of decisions taken earlier based on figures available earlier.
“Ask the Agriculture Ministry and try to find out the figures,” he said. Asked if the decision would favour foreign farmers at the cost of Indian farmers, as is being alleged by the Left, he replied, “You are reacting to the moment”.
“Inflation is going down and GDP is growing for the benefit of the Indian farmer,” he added.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister P R Dasmunsi, asked about the wheat import issue separately, said the government was ready to respond to the concerns raised in Parliament. He justified the decision to import wheat saying the government had a lot of social obligations like the Mid Day Meal Scheme to meet, for which the food grain was required.
