Price Hike is the result of wrong policies

Eranakulam: Wrong policies of governments that gave up the production sectors and allowed speculative business have led to the present price hike and inflation, opined the open discussion held by Solidarity state committee at Eranakulam Town Hall. The discussion held under the theme “Price hike: Roots and Resistance” also concluded that legislations to control corporate monopolies, and strong popular pressure over the governments are the needs of the hour.
P. Mujeeb Rahman, Solidarity state president, in his presidential address pointed out that the present inflation has toppled all the exaggerated graphs of economical growth of the country. Minister Sharad Pawar who says that the price hike is due to high consumption of the people is no more eligible to sit in his office. The roots of price hike can be traced in the conditions of country where Reliance can hold “Rice Melas” while the whole nation is pleading for food grains. All the so-called reasons of the price hike are also the bye-products of capitalist-globalization policies.
The international phenomenon of price hike is the indication of a forthcoming shift in global politics said Mr. C. P. John, former member of Kerala State Planning Board and leader of Communist Marxist Party, a break-away faction of CPI (M) in Kerala. The hike in the price of crude oil has created crises even in the US. The move to produce fuel from food grains to overcome this situation led to price hike. We had to increase the food production foreseeing the price hike. Mr. John added that our policy makers too have a role in the present crisis.
According to Dr. P.J. James, noted economist and state secretary of CPI (ML), the central government policy of relinquishing production and allowing futures trade in food sector is the real culprit of price hike and inflation. The government is protecting the corporates who hoard food grains. UPA and NDA, both of whom have stopped the PDS and destroyed FCI are now bickering with each other. The left parties who kept mum while the government brought the ordinance to allow futures trade in food sector have no right to complain about price hike – he added.
The main reason of price hike is the neglect of agriculture, stated Mr. Ahmed Bavappa, renowned agricultural scientist. We should increase food production using modern techniques. We are utilizing only a meagre part of the earth’s fertility. He suggested that we consider the production sector seriously.
Solidarity state committee member Dr. K. Mohammed Najeeb said that popular struggles should be launched to rein in the governments and to bring about legislation controlling the corporate monopolies. We should bring back the culture of cultivating our own food needs. A new vision of dealing with the God-given resources in a responsible manner needs to be formed. The fruits of growth and development should be made available to all sections of the community - he added.
The panellists responded to the queries of the audience. Solidarity state secretary M. Sajid welcomed the guests and the audience, and district president M.H. Abdul Raheem proposed the vote of thanks.

3 May 2008