Rice prices skyrocket: Govt intervention sought Tuesday December 12, 2006
There has been a steep hike in rice prices. It poses a big problem for the ordinary people. Many factors are being attributed to this hike- one due to shortfall in production, the stocks have become less. Earlier, when Chhattisgarh was in Madhya Pradesh there use to be no shortage of the staple commodity. But after it (known as rice bowl) becoming an independent state, Madhya Pradesh has to depend on other states for procuring rice. Parts of MP where rice is produced include Dabra in the Gwalior region, Badi in Raisen, Babai and Piparia in Hoshangabad and in Seoni and Balaghat districts. The shortfall is also the result of a weak crop at these places. It's a matter of concern that the rate of basmati rice has touched between Rs 3,000 and Rs 5,000 a quintal. Likewise dubraj and Kali Moonch have also become costlier by about Rs 200. The traders put blame on this price hike to the multinational companies. The MNCs were indulging in reckless retail trade and stocking rice and other cereals at high price. This has led to increase in prices of rice. The price of wheat too had gone up earlier. It is a fact that once the prices go up, they do not easily come down. After the entry of private parties in this trade, hoarding of the essential items has increased. The situation is such that today the prices of rice have gone up, after some time the wheat too will become a rare commodity. It is a matter of concern and the government should resolve this issue before it causes much harm. The private companies buy rice from farmers at cheaper rates and sell it at high cost after packing it. Rice sowing also needs improvement. The government should keep an eye on the prices of essential commodities.
