The state government is planning to bring about a price regulatory mechanism to control hoarding of essential commodities like pulses.
The state government is planning to bring about a price regulatory mechanism to control hoarding of essential commodities like pulses. While addressing the media at Nagpur on the eve of the Winter Session of the state legislature on Sunday, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the state would check whether or not it has the right to bring in a price regulatory authority to prevent the hoarding of pulses, which inflates their prices.
Refuting allegations by the Opposition, which had claimed there was corruption involving Rs 4,000 crore in the hoarding of pulses, Mr Fadnavis said, “These are baseless allegations. We have acted against all hoarders despite their brand and companies.”
The CM said that production of pulses had reduced to 35 per cent across the nation, which was the reason why the shortage occurred. He further added that the state had acted in a timely manner to stop hoarding of pulses. “We have seized a huge stock of pulses, and it was later released in the market in favour of the common people. Karnataka, however, failed to release more than 80 per cent stock that was seized by its government till date,” Mr Fadnavis claimed. He added that the price of pulses is uniform across the country.
When asked whether the Adani and Reliance groups were behind the hoarding activities, as alleged by Opposition parties, Mr Fadnavis said, “The Opposition has to blame specifically and with proper evidence. We didn’t differentiate between hoarders.”
Mr Fadnavis added that the state is considering introducing a Price Regulatory Authority so that the common people could get commodities at reasonable prices, while farmer and producers would get the appropriate value for their produce and the state could stop and control hoarders. However, he added that state has to ensure whether or not it has right to introduce the same.
The CM stated that the state would make funds available to mitigate the drought situation of the state without thinking of financial deficit. “We will not be worrying about fiscal deficit, because farmers are our priority and we will give them relief from budgetary provisions,” he said.
“Last year we had allocated Rs 8,000 crore for the drought situation. This year the figure will increase. This is the fourth consecutive year of drought and this time it has been more severe, Mr Fadnavis said, adding, “We are aware that the state is mired in huge liabilities and the state exchequer is empty and that’s why our finance minister has given a target to all departments.”
He added that the state is ready to answer each issue that will be raised by the Opposition in the House, but the latter has to cooperate with the ruling party. “If the Opposition disrupts the House, it will prove that it hasn’t the interest to resolve the issue,” he said.
When asked about the Cabinet expansion, Mr Fadnavis said that there were some issues over expanding the Cabinet as the Parliament session had started. “The session of Parliament and state legislature will end on December 23 and later the Cabinet will be expanded,” he said.
