Chennai, Aug 28 (PTI) Tamil Nadu Food and Civil Supplies Minister P Venkataraman on Friday attributed the price rise of essential commodities to global factors, including the conflict in Iran and fluctuations in fuel costs, impacting the supply chain and cost of goods in the country.
Nevertheless, the state government is actively monitoring the prices of 41 essential commodities on a daily and weekly basis across all districts in Tamil Nadu to track fluctuations, he said, responding to the concerns expressed by the opposition parties in the Assembly over the surging prices of essential commodities, including staple items like rice and sugar.
Outlining key measures being taken to stabilise the market, the minister assured the House that the government is proactive in addressing shortages, citing recent meetings regarding onion prices, and promised that necessary remedial measures will be taken within the next few days through ration shops and other distribution channels.
“A price monitoring committee has been established to identify commodities with high price spikes and find ways to control them,” the minister said.
The government is working to ensure supplies reach the public easily and without shortages. Specific attention is being given to items like onions and potatoes, the minister said.
Raising the issue, Leader of the Opposition DMK Udhayanidhi Stalin expressed concern over the daily increase in prices of essential commodities, noting that rice, lentils, oil, and sugar have seen significant price hikes over the last three months, severely impacting the poor and middle class.
Citing specific examples, he noted that rice increased from Rs 55 to Rs 75 per kg, onions from Rs 40 to Rs 80 per kilo, lentils from Rs 150 to Rs 180, and sugar from Rs 40 to Rs 70 per kg since May.
Udhayanidhi recalled the 2007 ‘Special Public Distribution Scheme’ initiated by former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi to provide relief during high inflation and urged the current TVK government to hold an emergency meeting with ministers to find an immediate solution.
Former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami highlighted further price increases, noting that the price of turmeric rose from Rs 200 to Rs 250 per kg, chillies from Rs 200 to Rs 300, and jaggery from Rs 55 to Rs 75 per kilo.
Palaniswami pointed out that drought conditions, particularly in Andhra Pradesh, have reduced rice supplies.
He reminded the Assembly of the AIADMK’s past strategy of procuring goods from states where prices were lower and using a dedicated ‘Price Control Fund’ to manage inflation, asking if the current government was taking similar proactive measures. PTI JSP SNR JSP ADB
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