FRONT PAGE | Saturday, October 31, 2009 | Email | Print | 
Aam admi pushed to edge
Deepak Kumar Jha | New Delhi
Prices of essential commodities shoot through roof
Mother Dairy decision strange, milk rates hiked in NCR, not Delhi
Mother Dairy’s decision to hike prices of milk again takes the cake even as the common man is finding it difficult to make both ends meet in the face of spiralling prices of essential commodities. This is the third or fourth such revision this year. While prices of essential commodities and vegetables have been on the rise, another round of increase in milk prices, DTC fares and a proposal for further hike in Metro ticket rates have added to the burden of aam admi.
While increasing the rates of milk in NCR barring Delhi, Mother Dairy said it has increased prices of milk up to Rs 2 per litre due to reduced availability of milk following the recent drought. The dairy major has increased the prices of full cream variant from Rs 26 to Rs 28 per litre and that of toned milk from Rs 21 to Rs 22 per litre. Prices of bulk vended milk, double-toned milk and skimmed milk will remain unchanged. “The recent drought has led to reduced availability of milk, impacting prices. As a result, prices of two variants are being increased. However, consumers in Delhi will continue to enjoy milk at lower rates compared to most major metros,” said Paul Thachil, CEO, Mother Dairy Fruits and Vegetable Pvt Ltd.
Although the prices of pulses, grains and edible oils have been shooting through the roof, the Government has done precious little to arrest the trend. The prices of pulses like arhar, moong and urad have doubled in one year’s time. Arhar, according to the Government-run Kendriya Bhandar rates, was at Rs 46 per kg in 2008 and in October 2009 this is being sold at Rs 89 per kg. Similarly, the moong dal used to be sold at Rs 36.50 per kg last year and this month it is priced at Rs 72.50. The price of sugar was at Rs 28 per kg in June 2008 and now it is being sold at Rs 35 per kg. The table speaks volumes about the rise in prices of vegetables.
“We were very happy when the Sixth Pay Commission was implemented. But the way prices of essential commodities, travelling costs are shooting up things are back to square one. My servant and security guards of our housing society keep complaining about price rise. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had promised that the economy will be restored within 100 days of his second tenure. But things have become worse,” said Akshay Mishra, a Class-II Government servant.
Commuting is likely to burn a big hole in the pocket of the common man. Commuters who used to pay Rs 5 for a certain distance in some routes will have to now shell out Rs 15 for the same, after the new slab system comes into force. That means — for a person who used to spend Rs 300 a month on conveyance, his travel bills would effectively go up to Rs 900 a month.
Several commuters who used more than one bus to reach their destinations have altered their travelling plans. “Earlier, I used to start an hour before to reach my office at ITO by changing two buses, which would cost me Rs 12 per trip. Now, if I use the same mode, I will have to cough up Rs 25 one way which means Rs 50 two ways. To reduce the expenses, I will have to leave early in the morning to catch a direct bus from GTB Enclave to ITO which would cost me Rs 15 one way. As a result, I will spend less time with my family members. A heavy price to pay,” said Aditya Chandra, a software professional.
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