Hubballi (Karnataka), Sep 15 (PTI) Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Tuesday said retail inflation, which rose to 4.8 per cent, was the highest in the 12 years of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government, attributing it to El Nino and other factors, and asserted that efforts were being made to bring it under control.
According to government data released on Monday, retail inflation increased to 4.82 per cent in August, largely driven by higher food prices.
Speaking to reporters here, the Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Minister said, “I can only say that I am very sensitive about this because our department itself monitors food inflation. We are very sensitive about this issue.” He said attempts to politicise the issue can’t work because the current retail inflation of 4.8 per cent is the highest in the 12 years of the Modi government.
“Until five or six months ago, before the war in West Asia began, our retail inflation was around one per cent or 1.5 per cent,” he said.
The minister claimed that today, retail inflation has reached 4.8 per cent because of El Nino and other factors, including natural calamities.
Recalling the inflation during the UPA’s tenure, the Minister said that for more than eight years, under the guidance of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, inflation was almost 10 per cent or more than 10 per cent, and it never came below double digits.
“Today, these people are talking about 4.8 per cent. We are also very sensitive to this 4.8 per cent and continuous efforts are being made to bring it under control. But there are international problems and natural problems or natural calamities that are responsible for this,” he said.
Meanwhile, he also called for people’s participation in the month-long ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’, to be launched on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday on September 17 to mark his 25 years in public life, and said the campaign will seek ideas and suggestions from the public for making India a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047.
He said Modi completing 25 years at the head of a government is a record in itself.
“Through continuous, sustained and tireless efforts and hard work, he (Modi) has not only won elections himself but also ensured victories for the party, first as Chief Minister and later as Prime Minister,” he said.
Lauding Modi’s leadership, the Minister claimed that from digital services to a decisive government, “we have moved from an era when decisions were not taken to an era of decisive governance.” “As we move forwards towards a ‘Viksit Bharat’, during this auspicious occasion marking Modi ji’s 25 years, we are not only going to thank Modi ji, but at the same time, we will also hear the dreams and ideas of our children, our youth and our middle-aged people for a developed India….” We will take their ideas and make every effort in the coming days to make India a developed country by 2047. With this resolve, we are moving forward with the Seva Sankalp campaign,” Joshi said.
He also alleged that whenever the Congress party is in power in the country, it creates problems and imposes restrictions during Ganesh festival celebrations.
Referring to the recent incident in T. Narsipur town, where a police inspector reportedly warned processionists against bursting crackers in front of a mosque during a Ganesha idol procession, the minister said that instead of taking action against the inspector, the Congress party was supporting him.
“This means the Congress party is sending a message that government officials can do anything against Hindus, and the party will support them,” he added. PTI AMP ROH
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