Check Hoarding: Goa MP

Essential Commodities Act must be used by State Governments to check hoardings said Mr Shantaram Naik M.P while participating in a discussion on price rise in the Rajya Sabha.

Mr Naik said that hoardings has played comparatively a smaller role in price rice as, basically, it is because almost half the country is facing drought that prices are showing upward trend, however, since hoarding is being resorted to by the traders, the State government should not hesitate to use Act.

Mr Naik said that Congress party is the only party in the country which was formed to face famine, hunger and poverty prevailing then, and therefore, congress can feel the gravity of common mans problems better than those parties which were formed with political ambitions.

Mr Naik extensively quoted lyrics from a song which ran as follows

Pahle muthi me paise lekar
Thaila bhar shakkar late the
Ab thaile me paise ate hain
Muthi me shakkar ati hai
Hai mehengai mehegai
Tu kahanse ayee
Tujhe kyon maut na aye
Hai mehengai mehengai&

Mr Naik said that in a country where best cars and aeroplanes are manufactured and when we rank first or second in computer technology why can we not produce seeds which can multiply our food production.

Mr Naik said that it is also very difficult for the government to balance the interest of agriculturist and consumer and said that if government gives more support price to farmers, it has its effect on consumer price. An attempt to introduce forward trading so as to eliminate middle man also could not succeed, he said.
Citing one more reason for price rise Mr Naik said just as it is said that when Finance Minister sneezes share market reacts similarly, Mr Naik said , when Agriculture Minister coughs also, prices rise.

Mr Naik said that Agriculture Minister Shri Sharad Pawar tries to be frank in explaining the situation and says till Rabi crop, price situation will not improve but, Mr Naik said, this statement itself leads to increase the prices by 25% and, everytime the minister makes such statements, prices further shoot up.