1 week ago
Congress Questions Modi Government Over Sugar Prices And Inflation
The Congress party says many important household goods have become more expensive.
Mallikarjun Kharge focused especially on sugar prices before festivals.
He said sugar stocks were at their lowest level in nine years.
He also said sugar prices had risen by nearly 40 percent in three months.
Kharge questioned whether using sugarcane to make ethanol for E20 petrol blending was part of the problem.
He asked why India stopped some sugar exports and imported sugar from other countries.
Jairam Ramesh listed price increases for items such as flour, rice, spices and cooking oil.
The Congress said the government should do more to help families facing higher expenses.
Mallikarjun Kharge accused the Modi government of failing to control rising essential-commodity prices.
Kharge said sugar prices had risen nearly 40% in three months and stocks had reached a nine-year low.
He questioned whether diverting sugarcane and grain to ethanol for E20 blending was contributing to the sugar shortage.
Kharge asked why India halted sugar exports and imported one million tonnes duty-free before festivals.
Jairam Ramesh cited increases in prices of flour, rice, spices, cooking oils and other everyday goods.
- Who
- Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh criticized the Modi government.
- What
- The Congress accused the government of failing to control inflation and questioned rising sugar prices, low stocks and the E20 ethanol policy.
- Where
- India.
- When
- Saturday, August 22; the year is not specified in the reports.
- Why
- The Congress said essential-commodity prices were rising, sugar stocks had fallen, and the government’s policies were burdening households.
Congress criticism
Government position
Cause of higher sugar prices
Congress criticism
Congress attributed rising sugar prices and declining stocks to alleged government policy failures and questioned the use of sugarcane for ethanol production.
Government position
The reports do not include a response from the Modi government addressing Congress’s claims about the causes of higher sugar prices.
E20 ethanol blending
Congress criticism
Kharge asked whether diverting sugarcane and grain to ethanol for E20 blending was worsening the sugar shortage and said the policy should be reviewed.
Government position
No government explanation or defense of the E20 policy is provided in the reports.
Inflation response
Congress criticism
Congress said the government had taken no effective steps to control inflation and that rising expenses were damaging household budgets.
Government position
The reports do not state the government’s position on the allegations or describe any measures it cited to control inflation.
Key facts
- Sugar price claim
- Mallikarjun Kharge said sugar had become nearly 40% more expensive in three months; Jairam Ramesh separately referred to a 40% increase in two months.
- Sugar stocks
- Kharge claimed India’s sugar stocks were at their lowest level in nine years.
- Sugar imports
- Kharge questioned why India had halted exports and imported one million tonnes of sugar duty-free.
- E20 policy
- Kharge asked whether using sugarcane and grain to produce ethanol for E20 blending should be reviewed.
- Flour price cited
- Jairam Ramesh listed flour rising from Rs 32 to Rs 40 per kilogram.
- Rice price cited
- Ramesh listed rice rising from Rs 42 to Rs 54 per kilogram.
- Cooking oil prices cited
- Ramesh listed increases in mustard, peanut and refined oil prices.
Quotes
Mallikarjun Kharge
Congress president and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha
“What kind of 'self-reliant India' is this? First, sugar production declined, then stocks reached their lowest level in 9 years, now we're importing sugar from abroad - and on the other hand, we're throwing sugarcane into Ethanol to blend with petrol”
telegraphindia.com
“Why is the sugar stock in India, the world’s largest sugar producer and exporter, at its lowest level in 9 years today? How did we reach the point of halting exports and importing one million tons of sugar duty-free?”
theprint.in
Sources
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