Unstable govt, rising prices

The spectre of spiralling prices haunts the common man even as the state government had been engrossed in setting up its own house in order with dissensions coming to the fore within the ruling party.

With the exception of lip sympathy, no concrete measures have been taken up so far to contain the prices of essential commodities.

That the stability is the main factor which holds the key to curb price rise has been proved beyond measures.

The administration headed by bureaucrats is in no mood to set the record straight on their own. Meanwhile the middlemen make hay worrying both the producer and the consumer.

To facilitate the farmers several centres have been opened but to no avail as the farmers find it difficult to make several trips to the centres - first to demonstrate their samples, a second time to bargain a price and a third time again to carry the entire produce to the centres for disposal which is cumbersome for the poor and distressed farmers to negotiate disposals.

Instead, the millers go to the farmers' door and strike a 'deal'. Not content with this millers make hay exporting rice which results in hike, said a retailer.

Same is the case in respect of other grains like pulses, gram, oil and the LPG cylinder which stands at Rs 300 plus is likely to be dearer. Not to speak of petroleum products' further hike, which is the root cause of rises in prices of essential commodities? Even the vegetables' prices were not within the reach of housewives.

The most popular vegetable - onion without which no recipe is complete in any household also became dearer and dearer. According to data, India ranks second largest onions' exporter but at home contrasted to Rs 10 a kg, it now sells at around Rs 80 a kg. It has become a luxury, say hoteliers. Most of them stopped using it.

The historic city was a destination for all till recently. Now it is a thing of the past what with uncontrolled pollution on the other tarnishing the glory of the city.