The problem is all pervasive as the prices of almost all food items have been rising In a scenario that is all familiar in India and for that matter in many other countries too, rising food prices have become an extremely sensitive issue with major political and social ramifications that go well beyond the economic ones. Not that the economic consequences are unimportant. From the macroeconomic management point of view, rising food...
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Inflation row heats up across India
Reeling under the spiraling prices of essential commodities, locals and activists from regional factions staged agitations in several parts of the country to protest the perceived inability of the central government in tackling inflation. The simmering row over inflation boiled over in Agra as activists of regional Samajwadi Chhatra Sabha (SCS) vented their ire through a unique demonstration. Shouting slogans, the student activists traversed the streets of Agra on bullock and horse...
More »Poor families struggle with higher food prices in India by Laurinda Luffman
After announcing food prices had reached record levels last week, the United Nation’s (UN) Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) is now trying to play down concerns about shortages. The FAO’s representative for Asia and the Pacific region, Hiroyuki Konuma, admitted that food supply and demand were tight but said there were sufficient grain stocks to feed populations. Though certain foods such as sugar, meat, corn and soybeans are selling at a...
More »Peeling The Policy Cipher by Lola Nayar
What’s Going Wrong? * Market intelligence remains a weak link; farm policies rarely reflect correct scenario * Extensive damage to crop in Maharashtra not factored in promoting onion, tomato exports * Middlemen make capital while farmers realise 10-15% margin, not enough to recoup losses * Government market intervention capacity limited to foodgrains and pulses **** India’s worst-kept secret was finally revealed when the government threw up its hands in despair in the...
More »State to open vegetable sales counters
The Tamil Nadu government on Friday decided to implement immediately a slew of measures to rein in the spiralling prices of essential commodities and vegetables. A large number of sales counters will be opened in Chennai and other Corporation areas to sell vegetables. Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, who chaired a meeting to discuss ways to control price rise, directed officials to start 25 new Uzhavar Sandhais. The State government will write to...
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