Following the instruction of All India Congress Committee (AICC), the State Finance cum Food Supply Minister, Dr Rameshwar Oraon on Friday participated in the discussion on inflation in Basia of Khunti and Gumla. On consecutive second day he directly blamed the Central Government for failing to control inflation and unemployment.
During the discussion on inflation in Khunti, Oraon said that in the year 2014, when Congress left power at the Centre, the price of cooking gas was around 410, the price of other essential commodities was also controlled. “Through MGNREGA and other schemes the villagers were getting employment in the village itself but now inflation has become uncontrollable, unemployment has increased, employment of crores of people has been snatched away,” he added.
“The price of petrol was maximum at Rs 71 in UPA regime, today it has crossed Rs 100 and the price of diesel has increased from Rs 57 per liter and has also reached around Rs 100. The price of mustard oil was Rs 80-90, now it has increased to Rs 200. The flour was Rs 22 per kg, now it has become Rs 40 per kg. The cost of milk was Rs 35 a liter, now it has become Rs 60,” said Oraon.
The Minister said that in the Congress Government, there was a slight increase in the price, then the Government used to increase the supply and give subsidies, while creating employment opportunities to remove unemployment, but the present Central Government has completely failed on both the fronts,” he added.
Through the Mehngai Choupal, the Congress leaders tried to tell that the life of common people and especially the poor has become difficult due to the BJP Government at the Center. On this occasion, a large number of common people also spoke and held the central government responsible for inflation and unemployment.
Meanwhile, senior Congress leaders, Alok Kumar Dubey and Lal Kishorenath Shahdeo also held Mahangai Choupal in various parts of the State Capital and talked to common people on the issue directly with a sip of tea.
In the beginning of the programme, the rising inflation was portrayed by the artists of Maa Sharda Sangeet Sansthan by presenting street plays for the first time. After that, in the discussion about inflation, the common people came forward and criticized the Central Government fiercely.