Exploitation spree

We are told that galloping inflation has been tamed and fallen to the single digits. But the market realities tell a different story. The prices of items like medicines, milk and other essentials are still rising, albeit at a slower rate, whereas prices of food items remain unchanged despite a purported fall in the prices. In Johi, petrol pump owners first refused to sell petrol at the reduced prices announced by the government and are now allegedly cutting the quantity of petrol they are willing to sell at a given price.

Tea shop owners in Johi have also hiked the price of a cup of tea by Rs10 despite an official reduction in the price of sugar and other key inputs. Milk adulteration is allegedly rampant and there appears to be no regulation or price-control mechanism. The food and drug control authorities only take action on a purely reactive basis and have lost the trust of the people. A storm of anger is brewing in the hearts of the ‘have-nots’. The powers that be should realize the gravity of the situation and stop the exploitation spree before it is too late.

Gulsher Panhwer

Johi