Bhubaneswar: Opposition BJD and Congress Friday blamed the BJP government in Odisha for the state’s high retail inflation, accusing it of failing to check the rising prices of essential commodities and provide relief to consumers.
The ruling BJP, however, described the price rise as a temporary phenomenon, attributing it to the prevailing global economic situation.
In a statement, BJD media coordinator Lenin Mohanty said Odisha’s retail inflation stood at 7.17 per cent in October, against the national average of 6.09 per cent, according to the latest data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
Odisha ranked fifth among major states with the highest inflation, he said, adding that the rate was 7.74 per cent in rural areas and 5.63 per cent in urban areas.
Mohanty said rural households were bearing a disproportionate burden due to rising food prices, adding that onion prices had increased by around 116 per cent, garlic by 61 per cent and lemons by 47 per cent.
Accusing the BJP government of failing to fulfil its promise of “Double Engine, Double Development”, Mohanty said it had instead delivered “Double Deception”.
The BJD urged the state Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department to take proactive steps to address the situation, alleging that the government was more focused on publicity than on the hardships faced by ordinary people.
Addressing a press conference, Congress leader Panchanan Kanungo blamed the Centre’s economic policies for the high inflation in Odisha.
“People lack stable employment, yet with prices soaring across all sectors, they are facing immense hardships just to make ends meet,” said the former finance minister.
He said households spending a large share of their income on food were particularly vulnerable.
Kanungo alleged that the state government failed to control commodity prices, saying Odisha was dependent on other states for almost everything except rice.
BJP MLA Babu Singh, however, said the price rise was temporary and stemmed from the impact of the global economic crisis.
“The state government is doing its best to contain the situation with the support of the people,” he said.
