Aradhana Mishra Mona
Lucknow: UP Congress president Aradhana Mishra Mona on Tuesday targeted the BJP govt over rising prices, citing retail inflation of 6.08% in UP in Sept against the national average of 5.54% and a sharp rise in food prices. Quoting consumer price index data released by the Union ministry of statistics and programme implementation on Oct 12, Mishra said: “Food inflation across the country stood at 7.74%, while rural food inflation was 8.06%. Rural retail inflation in UP was 6.71%. She cited a 108.09% year-on-year rise in onion prices in Sept compared with 48.78% in Aug. Inflation in ginger stood at 62.85%, garlic at 54.62% and lemon at 36.41%, according to the figures cited in the Congress statement.
Adding that the BJP has hit household budgets and speeches will not give the relief people need, she said: “The rising costs of essential commodities were putting additional pressure on poor and middle-class families, farmers, labourers and salaried people. Mishra said the impact of rising prices extended beyond kitchen expenses, affecting household savings, children’s education, healthcare and other essential needs. Rural families faced additional pressure from farm inputs, including seeds, fertilisers, diesel and electricity, she said. “People have a right to know what effective steps govt has taken to control prices, prevent hoarding and black marketing, and provide relief to low-income families,” she said. Mishra said govt should address the pressure on household budgets, particularly ahead of the festive season.
The Congress demanded regular monitoring of essential food supplies and prices, action against hoarding and black marketing, fair prices for farmers’ produce and concrete relief for families affected by inflation.