Hold price-line

O.P Sharma
Holding the price-line, especially of all essential commodities must be accorded top priority by the Central as well as UT Administration. This matter brooks no delay as the common man is being hit hard by the rising prices. The inflation which is a major factor leading to spiral in prices must be effectively contained through strong fiscal and price control measures and management of supply-demand position. One of the steps is by stream lining the distribution system and constant the on-spot checking by the concern authorities.
It is noteworthy that the price rise is a global phenomenon and in a developing economy prices get pushed up. Spiralling prices are mainly due to many factors including fluctuating prices of fuel, low productivity due to “COVID-19” and its new version, and also stocking of some commodities, profiteering motives of big businessmen. Another problem is adulteration which affects the health of the people.
Action-oriented steps
Admittedly the Government has initiated some concrete steps to stabilise the prices of some essential commodities but still there is trend of some essentials of daily use process of other products which is putting unbearable burden on the common masses. In a fast growing economy some price rise is always there but the purchasing capacity of common consumers has always to be kept in view. Jammu and Kashmir has to depend mainly by importing of goods from across the country and the transport and other overhead charges give push to prices essentially in the far flung and hilly areas.
Regarding the prices of essential commodities like food grains, edible oils, pulses and other goods, the prices of vegetables, fruit have to be kept under strict control. The sudden sky-rocketing of few items of daily use creates panic in the market by black-marketers which has to be suitably and sternly dealt with to keep the prices at reasonable rates.
Serious Situation
It seems that Government has taken a serious view of rising prices but the situation has to be constantly reviewed at the highest level. While some concrete anti-inflationary measures are still requires to be taken. There is need for suitable mechanism for constantly monitoring the supply-demand position and ensuring essentials of life at affordable price. It is proposed that an effectively and constantly high level and powerful monitoring committee of economist, public men, businessmen, consumer-stakeholders and media persons should be constituted and put into action immediately to keep a vigilant eye on the price front.
There is also urgent need to act strongly against those indulging in profiteering and hoarding of essential commodities by the unscrupulous traders out to exploit the situation. The urgency on this account must be realised and a vigorous drive launched nation-wide to ease the situation on the price front.
Challenging Task
The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi must address this challenging task of keeping in check the prices of all commodities, particularly the items of daily use by the common citizen. The prices of diesel-petrol, LPG cylinders and other essential items must be pulled down to give relief to the common citizens. The Prime Minister will have to assure all possible concrete measures to effectively check the price level so that common man does not suffer much any longer.
The opposition parties have raised this important issue both inside and outside the Parliament and squarely blamed the centre and State Governments for pursuing defective economic policies and ignoring the cause of the common man in the country.
Production be doubled
It is hardly needed to be emphasised that farm and factory production should be doubled by reforming farm sector and giving a suitable re-orientation to its financial and economic policies. While the Government must deal with iron hands with hoarders and black marketers, the public distribution system has to be further streamlined for supply of essential commodities to the people at reasonable rates. The nation is facing with a challenging situation of rising prices and it has to come forward with a solid policy and programmes to deal effectively with it. The tendency to politicise the issue of price-rise must be resisted. Undoubtedly, the Jammu and Kashmir mainly imports many items from other parts of the country and the UT Government is duty bound to effectively check the prices, quality of products and also quantity of the consumer items.
Punitive Action Too
The UT has enough laws and regulations to meet the challenge of rising pieces. It has the enforcement staff to undertake the job. What is required most is the strong will of the present regime to take immediate stern action.
The J&K Administration has to swing into action to keep a constant eye on price-front and reactivate the Consumer Councils to deal with cases of exorbitant prices or defective goods and control the prices by taking punitive actions as provided in the law.
It is high time, the economists, agriculture experts, industrialists, businessmen, scientists, administrators, academicians, and politicians, pool their energies to devise a suitable strategy for pulling the country out of this serious situation. Then the Government must sincerely initiate steps on result-oriented Action Plan to bring down the process to a reasonable level for the sake of common man in the country.
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