The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Leading a hand-to-mouth existence

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Aug 14, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Leading a hand-to-mouth existence

PHOTO: G.KARTHIKEYAN.

Poor soul: D. Selvam, trader, and his wife S. Muthulaxmi of Chettinaickenpatti.

These people live in proximity to production centres. Yet the price increase in vegetables is unbearable.

Greens that sold for just Rs.2 four months ago are to be bought at Rs.4 and sometimes at Rs.5.

Even country vegetables like brinjal and drumstick are sold at Rs.16 a kg, against Rs.8 a kg a few months back. The price of high quality rice has touched Rs.30 a kg, up 50 per cent.

Ordinary variety is sold at Rs.20 a kg, a rise of 30 per cent. The prices of pulses have gone up by Rs.15 to Rs.20 a kg.

But the family income remains the same, laments D. Selvam, a grocery trader of Chettinaickenpatti village near Dindigul.

“We have cut our cable TV connection. Still we plunge deeper into a loan mire every month,” says Muthu Laksmi, his wife.

“I cannot cut my children’s higher education expenses.”

Middle class families in urban and rural areas of Dindigul district that once led a quality life are now pinching for money to buy even essentials.

Many have started to cut on extra expenses. No movies and hotels. Some families even stretch fish and meat purchase from once a week to 15 or 20 days.

While middle class people tighten their belts, the poor find it more difficult to fight the wave of inflation.

The family of M. Subbaiah (90) and S. Seeniammal (80), agriculture labourers of this village, is one among the affected lot.

Its monthly income is Rs.400. A stone bed, tattered mat and a few vessels under a farm shelter are its only belongings.

“Our son has abandoned us. He is struggling to feed his four children. How can he look after us,” asks Seeniammal.

Leftover food from a noon meal centre feeds the couple at noon and night. The supply stops on Saturdays and Sundays, holidays.

“I go to a nearby noon meal centre to collect leftover food. We will have half the food now and keep the rest for the night. Sometimes, I get nothing. During these times, I use ration rice to prepare food. We have no money to buy vegetables or oil. We prepare only gruel,” she adds.

“I have applied for old age pension. But nothing has come so far.”

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu