Congress says rising food prices dampen festive season cheer
Congress says essential commodity price rises are straining household budgets ahead of festivals, accusing the government of hiding inflation through statistical jugglery.
The Congress on Monday said that escalating prices of essential commodities are squeezing household budgets just as the festive season gets underway, and accused the Union government of masking the true scale of inflation through what it called "statistical jugglery."
Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh said the impact of price rises was taking the joy out of festivals. In a post on X, he cited sharp increases in the wholesale prices of several kitchen staples, noting that onion prices had doubled within three weeks and sugar had become 25% more expensive.
Mr. Ramesh also pointed to higher prices for pulses such as arhar and urad, as well as mustard and refined oil. He added that dry fruits including almonds, cashews, pistachios, raisins and walnuts had become costlier in the run-up to Deepavali.
With milk and sugar prices climbing, the cost of sweets has also risen, he said, describing the situation as one where "the kitchen is expensive, festivals are costly, and the household budget is in distress."
The Congress leader alleged that the government was hiding the real impact of inflation rather than tackling price rises. "Statistical jugglery cannot hide the impact of inflation. The public is watching everything," he said.