The government, by and large, has failed to control the prices of consumer goods. There is confusion at the latest mess created by the government to fix the price of sugar. From Rs thirty six per kilo it has agreed to sell sugar at Rs forty five. Even at this rate, sugar is not available at Utility Stores/grocery stores.
In some areas, sugar is being sold for Rs sixty-five to seventy per kilo, which shows how effective government control is in maintaining the price level. The government should, after dealing with this mess, get hold of those responsible and award them exemplary punishment. To a great extent, mill owners have been responsible for hoarding sugar to create shortages in the market, with a view to jacking up prices.
All stocks, so confiscated, should be brought in the market and sold at the government-designated price. Mill owners hoarding stocks should be fined. Somehow, our Minister concerned has caved in to mill owners' pressure/threat. It is a common practice that when the global price of a consumer item changes, the mill owners/wholesalers, who have reserve stocks, immediately increase the price.
They may have a stock of 15 to 30 days stock with them. And there is no justification for raising the price, stocks with already held in reserve. This is cheating the public, by such unscrupulous traders. The government should enforce a date only after which mill owners/stockists could increase their prices. For this, all manufacturers/mill owners/stockists should send a bio-weekly report to the Ministry of Industry, showing the stocks held by them. This, to some extent, should give relief to the public.