The government was roundly criticised by both its friends and foes in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday when the House began discussion on a motion to discuss the impact of rising prices on the common man.
Initiating the debate for the BJP, the leader of the Opposition, Sushma Swaraj lashed out at the government for is failure to control spiralling prices. She urged the government to wake up from its slumber and provide relief to the common man.
Accusing the government of being “insensitive” to the sufferings of the common man, Ms Swaraj said that not only Oppsition parties but even those belonging to the ruling party were concerned about rising prices.
Criticising the government for raising the prices of LPG and kerosene, Ms Swaraj said that while this was being done on the pretext that oil companies are losing money, they are actually earning profits.
Upon which finance minister Pranab Mukherjee intervened to tell her: “Why don’t you mention oil marketing companies. These are oil producing companies.”
Alleging that the government is responsible for high food inflation, Samajwadi Party president Mulayam Singh Yadav said, the increasing trend helped the 10 per cent of rich people in the country. “Inflation is for rich to earn more. But it is an enemy for common man, which takes way their happiness,” he said, adding that about 40 to 50 percent people are there in the country, who do not get food even once in a day.
Participating in the debate, JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav claimed that while the government realises the problems created by price rise, it was finding it difficult to take corrective steps. Attacking the government over the absence of several ministers from the House during the debate, he said while the Prime Minister could be busy with his schedule, agriculture minister Sharad Pawar was “loaded” with responsibilities and was busy with national and international cricket.
Describing the price situation as “alarming”, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad demanded that the government should roll back hike in prices of petrol, diesel and kerosene. Anguished people, he said, observed all-India strike twice to protest against rising prices and would take to street again if the steps were not taken to tame inflation.
Mr Prasad attributed rising prices to diversion of sugar and wheat to cold drink companies and breweries.
Gurudas Dasgupta echoed the sentiments expressed by Mr Prasad.