Prices have eased in last 2 years: FM

“…. It is not correct to say that government has not done anything,” Mukherjee said in reply to a discussion on price rise in Rajya Sabha.

Not satisfied with his reply,the Opposition staged a walkout. “We tried our best to have a constructive debate. You are in power for 6 years and this is the 7th… no structural changes could take place…so we are walking out from the House,” said BJP Leader M Venkaiah Naidu.

Giving details of retail prices in the Delhi market,Mukherjee said the price of 1 kg of rice has increased by just Re 1 to Rs 24 against Rs 23 two years ago,while that of wheat has increased to Rs 15 per kg from Rs 14.5 during the same period.

Prices of other essential items like tur dal,urad dal and moong have eased over this period,he said. “If the government had not done anything,prices would not have come down. Prices do not remain static,” he said.

There is huge price difference in farm gate and retail price,he said,adding that 66 per cent value is added by intermediaries while only 34 per cent reaches farmers.