'Forget Mann Ki Baat': Jairam Ramesh Slams Centre Over Soaring Food Prices
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticizes PM Modi for ignoring soaring inflation in essential food items ahead of Diwali celebrations.
As India prepares for the Diwali festivities, the political atmosphere has heated up over the cost of living. Senior Congress leader and Member of Parliament Jairam Ramesh has launched a blistering attack on the central government, accusing it of ignoring the plight of ordinary citizens struggling with rising food prices that have devastated household kitchen budgets.
'Good Days' vs Bitter Reality
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Ramesh claimed that official government data confirms a persistent upward trend in inflation. He questioned how common families are expected to balance the joy of festive celebrations with the stress of managing basic survival needs.
The Congress leader pointedly remarked that the promised "good days" (Achhe Din) have turned into a bitter reality for the masses, evidenced by the skyrocketing costs of essential commodities.
The Price Spike: A Breakdown of Essentials
To back his claims, Jairam Ramesh highlighted specific price hikes that have occurred over recent months, painting a grim picture for the average consumer:
- Onions: A staggering 85% increase over the last four months.
- Sugar: A rise of 34% in the same period.
- Tomatoes: Prices jumped by 8.5% in just one month.
- Pulses: Arhar dal increased by 3.5% and chana dal by 3.1%.
The festive impact is even more visible in luxury staples. Ramesh noted that almonds have hit ₹1,300 per kilo, while the price of small cardamom has surged by as much as ₹300 just as Diwali approaches.
Silence on Public Misery
The MP did not hold back in his criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of focusing on macroeconomic success while ignoring the micro-level suffering of the people. Ramesh argued that while the Prime Minister frequently highlights GDP growth figures, he remains silent on the "misery of the common people."
"Prime Minister ji, leave aside your Mann Ki Baat and address the concerns of the people," Ramesh wrote, urging the leader to move beyond routine public addresses and tackle the mounting cost of living.
He further alleged that over the last decade, real inflation-adjusted income for the average citizen has either stagnated or declined, making it impossible for earnings to keep pace with the cost of essentials.
Economic Outlook: Resilience Amidst Pressure
While the political battle rages, financial reports offer a nuanced view of the Indian market. A report by Motilal Oswal Financial Services indicated that consumer demand remained resilient in the second quarter of FY27. However, the brokerage warned that rising input costs are expected to squeeze the profit margins of consumer sector companies through the second half of the financial year.
The report noted that while consumption trends remain positive heading into the festive season, factors such as weak rainfall and macroeconomic instability remain significant concerns. Despite these hurdles, the firm does not currently predict a deceleration in growth for the second half of FY27.
Adding to these concerns, ICRA Chief Economist Aditi Nayar previously suggested that consumer spending might see more moderate growth in the latter half of the fiscal year. Nayar warned that the combined impact of rising fuel and food costs continues to threaten the stability of household budgets across the country.