O.P Sharma
The recently elected J&K UT, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah must act swiftly and sternly for holding the price-line and also ensure action against adulteration, especially of all essential items of daily utility. To provide much-needed relief to the consumers, in Kashmir valley as also Jammu region which hit-hard the common masses, especially during the festive or all seasons for one or other “artificial reasons”.
This matter brooks no delay as the common man is being hit-hard by ever soaring prices. The inflation, which is a major factor leading to spiral in prices, must be effectively contained through strong fiscal and price control measures, effective management of supply-demand position. One of the steps is by stream-lining the distribution system and constant on-spot checking of markets by the concernd authorities.
The plea that the price-rise is a ‘global phenomenon’ and in a developing economy prices do get push up but it hardly convince or satisfy the poor disadvantage sections or even the common citizens hit-hard by high prices. Sky-rocketing cost of living, due to price-hike coupled with un-controlled free-play by hoarders or profiteers and black-marketers. Another serious problem is ‘prevalent adulteration’ which had to be handled with “iron hands” to safeguard the health standard of the masses.
Action-oriented steps
Admittedly, the Government has to initiate some concrete steps to stabilise the prices of the essential commodities but still much more is needed to ensure adequate and quality supply of basic needs by strict regulations and tight controls on all essentials of daily use to “ease un-bearable burdens” on the consumers across Jammu and Kashmir.
In a fast growing economy, while price rise of daily use have to be periodically regulated/controlled, at the same time, purchasing power of common consumers has to be raised, especially of the low or fixed income groups. Jammu and Kashmir has to mainly depend on importing of almost all goods from the country coupled with transport and other overhead charges give push to prices in the far-flung hilly or border areas.
Regarding the prices of essential commodities like food grains, edible oils, pulses and other goods, the prices of vegetables, fruit have to be kept under strict control. The sudden sky-rocketing of few items of daily use create panic in the market by black-marketers which has to be suitably and sternly dealt with to keep the prices at reasonable rates. One way is constant vigil on the price-front and action against adulteration and another step to enforce price control through frequent administrative steps. The price-list of each item should be prominently displayed by the shopkeepers/dealers, as provided in the law.
Serious Situation
It seems that Government has to take a serious view of rising prices and the situation constantly reviewed at the highest level. While some concrete anti-inflationary measures still require to be taken; there is need for suitable mechanism for constantly monitoring the supply-demand position and ensuring availability of all essentials of life at reasonably affordable prices. It is proposed that a high-level and powerful monitoring committee of economist, public men, businessmen, consumers, stakeholders as also from legal and media should be constituted soon and put into action to keep a vigilant eye on the price front.
There is also urgent need to act strongly against those indulging in profiteering and hoarding of essential commodities by the unscrupulous traders out to exploit the situation. The urgency on this account must be realised and a vigorous drive launched to ease the situation on the price front.
Challenging Task
The Central Government in co-ordination with J&K UT Administration must address this challenging task of keeping in check the prices of all commodities, particularly the items of daily use by the common citizens. The prices of fuel, LPG cylinders and other essential items must be pulled down to give relief to the common citizens. The Chief Minister will have to take all possible concrete measures to effectively check the price-level so that common man does not suffer any longer!
It needs to be emphasised that farm, factory and other production should be doubled by reformation and transformation through a suitable re-orientation to its financial and economic policies as also adoption of innovation and new technology. While the Government must deal with iron hands with hoarders and black marketers, the public distribution system has to be further streamlined for supply of essential commodities regularly at reasonable rates.
The nation is facing a challenging situation of rising prices and it has to come forward with solid policy and programmes to deal effectively with it. The tendency to politicise the issue of price-rise must be resisted. Undoubtedly, the Jammu and Kashmir mainly imports many items from other parts of the country and the State Government is duty bound to effectively check the prices, quality of products and also quantity of the consumer items.
Punitive Action Too
The UT of Jammu and Kashmir has enough laws and regulations to meet the challenge of rising pieces by the enforcement instruments and staff to undertake the job. What is required most is the strong will of the present regime to take stern action.
The J&K Administration has to swing into action to keep a constant eye on price-front and re-activate the Consumer Councils to deal with cases of exorbitant prices or adulteration by taking punitive actions as provided in the law. The economic offenses must be dealt expeditiously in the courts of law to send a congenial environ for speedy justice on the price-front and against adulterators.
It is high time, the economists, agriculture experts, industrialists, businessmen, scientists, administrator, academicians, and politicians pool their energies to devise a suitable strategy for pulling the consumers out of this serious situation. The Omar Abdullah Government must sincerely initiate steps on result-oriented Action Plan to bring down the prices to a reasonable level for the sake of common man.
(The author is a Jammu-based journalist & social activist)
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