The Hindu : Front Page : This Diwali is costlier than ever before

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Saturday, Oct 21, 2006
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This Diwali is costlier than ever before

Staff Reporter

DIWALI IS HERE: Shoppers out in Bhagirath Place market in Delhi's Chandni Chowk area on Friday. - PHOTO: V. V. KRISHNAN

NEW DELHI: This Diwali, skyrocketing prices of essential commodities have left the "aam admi" very concerned. Be it sweets, dry fruits, crackers, pulses, dairy products, fruits or vegetables, the prices have registered massive increases compared to the Diwali last year. Even gold, the much sought after item during this festive season, is touching Rs.9,000 per 10 gm compared to Rs.7,000 last Diwali.

While in the case of pulses and food grains, forward trading in the wholesale market and the Government's failure to check hoarders and big traders are blamed by economists, the steep increase in the price of diesel -- a whopping Rs.6 per litre effected on three occasions between June last year and June this year -- has also led to the overall increase in prices in a big way. Similarly the increase in petrol prices by Rs.9.50 per litre thrice between June 2005 and June 2006 has made a severe dent in every household budget.

"Only two varieties of pulses -- masoor and malka -- are selling below Rs.50 per kg, while other varieties of pulses are being sold at prices as high as Rs.50 to Rs.80! Urad dal is between Rs.70 and Rs.80 per kg, while moong is around Rs.55 per kg, rajma Rs.60-70 per kg, and arhar Rs.55 per kg.

Similarly, the rates of ghee, sugar, edible oils, atta and spices have also registered increases of around 10 per cent to 30 per cent during the past one year," rues Anita Mahajan, a housewife in Laxmi Nagar.

Blaming the Government's "lackadaisical attitude" to the concerns of the common man for the fast rising prices, Devika Pathak, a lecturer by profession, pooh-poohs the tall claims of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance Government at the Centre that inflation and prices are well under control.

"All milk brands have recently revised their prices twice over. Dry fruits have gone out of the reach of the average household. Sweets this Diwali are costlier by 10 per cent to 20 per cent. Vegetables and fruits have also become dearer.

Yet the Government continues to claim that it has done enough to safeguard the interests of the aam admi," fumes Ms. Pathak.

Local traders say they cannot be blamed for the increase in prices as suppliers have increased their rates. "Strangely, though there is no shortage of any essential commodity in the wholesale market, gradual increases in their prices are going on all the year round.

Forward trading of these commodities at the National Commodity Exchange is said to be the main reason behind this. Moreover, the steep rise in fuel prices has also affected the prices due to the consequent rise in transportation and other charges," says Mohan Agarwal, a grocery shop owner in Anand Vihar.

Yet for all that, the people apparently have no other go but to wish each other a "Happy Diwali".

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