Question : Price Rise

(a) whether the Government is aware of the rise in prices of various essential commodities including foodgrains, edible oils, various pulses, vegetables and onion in the country, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor indicating the comparative prices during the last three years, item-wise;

(b) the remedial steps taken/being taken by the Government to contain the rising food prices in future along with the alternative measures proposed for evolving a proper mechanism for price monitoring and control;

(c) whether a conference of Ministers from various States was organised recently to discuss the issue of price rise; and

(d) if so, the details and the outcome thereof indicating the suggestion received and the action taken thereon?

THE MINISTER FOR
CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI RAM VILAS PASWAN)

(a) : Yes Madam. The requisite information based on the All India Wholesale Price Index (WPI) is given atAnnexure-I.

Rise in the prices of essential food items are due to several factors such as adverse weather conditions, rise in transportation costs, supply constraints and artificial shortages due to hoarding and black-marketing.

(b) : Government monitors the prices of essential commodities on a daily basis. These price trends are analyzed and based on these appropriate policy measures for improving availability and ensuring stability in prices of essential commodities are taken.

The details of such steptaken are at Annexure-II.

(c) & (d) : Yes Madam. A National Consultation Meeting of Ministers of States and UTs in-charge of Food and Consumer Affairs was held at Delhion 7th July 2015 wherein a six month (July-December 2015) Joint Action Plan forimproving the availability and containing the prices of essential commodities was adopted as per details at Annexure- III.
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