Question : Price of Essential Commodities

(a) the criteria and norms for fixation of the prices of essential commodities in the country;
(b) whether there has been unprecedented rise in prices of essential commodities including vegetables and pulses in the country, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
(c) the corrective steps, including imports, being undertaken by the Government to contain/stabalise the prices of above commodities; and
(d) whether any cases of hoarding of essential commodities including grains and pulses have been reported/detected during the last three years, if so, the details thereof and the corrective steps taken/proposed in this regard?

THE MINISTER OF
CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI RAM VILAS PASWAN)
(a) : Prices of food items are largely market determined except for subsidised food items distributed through Public Distribution System.
(b) : The requisite details based on the Wholesale Price Index (2004-05) is given below:
Annual Inflation rate (%)
Group/Sub Group 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 P
Food articles 9.9 12.8 6.1 3.73
(i) Pulses 19.6 -5.5 5.9 34.45
(ii) Vegetables 17.2 40.2 -6.1 -2.26
Food products 8.1 3.2 2.4 4.47
Source: Office of Economic Adviser, DIPP P= Provisional
(c) : The requisite information is at Annexure I.
(d) : The requisite information is at Annexure II.
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