Union Minister Piyush Goyal emphasized the government's commitment to preventing spikes in prices of essential food items, such as onions, tomatoes, and pulses, especially during elections. Goyal highlighted the track record of the Modi government in swiftly controlling prices following any temporary increases.
In an interview with PTI, Goyal, who oversees the food and consumer affairs ministry, assured that the government would spare no effort to ensure minimal strain on household budgets, particularly for "our Nari-Shakti."
Responding to inquiries about the government's strategy to manage food prices during the upcoming general election, Goyal stated, "We are fully prepared for it. I can assure the people of India that this government prioritizes the well-being of Indian women." He underscored the government's allocation of approximately Rs 28,000 crore to the price stabilisation fund in recent years to combat food inflation.
"We are committed to supporting our sisters and mothers and ensuring their financial stability, we are actively addressing the issue to empower our Nari-Shakti and improve their household finances," Goyal affirmed.
With the Election Commission expected to announce the poll schedule soon, and Lok Sabha elections likely in April-May, Goyal elaborated on various measures taken by the government in recent years to stabilize prices of food items like onions, tomatoes, and pulses.
"While many countries grappled with soaring inflation, particularly in food prices, India stood out with relatively stable inflation rates," he noted.
Goyal criticized the inflation levels and erratic food prices during the UPA-era, contrasting it with India's ability to maintain reasonable inflation even during challenging times. "We swiftly intervened whenever any product's price surged, often due to external factors," he added.
Highlighting instances such as tomato price hikes due to adverse weather in certain regions, Goyal explained how the government promptly intervened by sourcing from alternative regions to normalize supplies and prices.
Similar interventions were made during spikes in onion and pulse prices, Goyal mentioned.
To alleviate the burden on the common man, Goyal pointed out initiatives like selling Bharat Chana dal at Rs 60 per kg, Bharat Atta at Rs 27.50 per kg, and Bharat rice at Rs 29 per kg in the open market, which have had positive impacts on prices.
"Our efforts have kept food inflation in check, aligning well with RBI mandates," he stated.
Addressing concerns about lower onion output in 2023-24, Goyal assured proactive measures by the government.
Additionally, the government operates 18,000 outlets of various agencies for the sale of subsidized items like pulses, flour, and rice, and has engaged e-commerce platforms for the same purpose.
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