New Delhi, Aug 2: Opposition parties in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday appealed to the government to acknowledge the problem of rising inflation affecting the poor in India in order to fix it, but the ruling BJP asserted that it is a problem arisen due to global development beyond the control of any country.
Participating in a short-duration discussion on rising prices of essential items, BJP leader Prakash Javadekar said price rise hurts everyone and the Narendra Modi-led central government is constantly working to check it.
The inflation is ruling at 7 per cent now and not yet reached the double-digit level like in the previous United Progressive Alliance (UPA) regime, he said.
Javadekar further said due to coronavirus and Russia-Ukraine crisis, the supply chain was hit, pushing up the fuel and food prices globally. “This is beyond the control of any country. Not only India, prices have risen in other countries too,” he said. However, the burden of high fuel prices on common man could have been reduced had the non-BJP states cut the value added tax (VAT), he said, adding that the Centre had reduced the taxes on petrol and diesel twice and it was followed by BJP-ruled states.
Accusing the Opposition of doublespeak on Goods and Services Tax (GST), the former Union minister said the Opposition had “unanimously” agreed for 5 per cent GST on pre-packed food items in the GST Council Meeting, but when talking to media outside, the same tax became “Gabbar tax”.
For undertaking developmental work, he said funds are required.
“Money does not come by printing but by generating income,” he said.
On concerns over rupee depreciation, Javadekar said the Indian rupee has appreciated in comparison with other currencies.
“It is a problem in other countries. We are faring better than other currencies,” he said. He further said the International Monetary Fund in its report has said India at 6.8 per cent growth rate is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. There is no talk about recession in India like in the United States, he said.
“To tackle price rise, the Modi government has worked constantly and will continue to do so. Price rise is across the world. We are moving towards development, giving social justice and doing economically well,” the senior BJP leader added. (PTI)
