The Opposition today attacked the government on the issue of price rise in Parliament.
Leading the Opposition attack was BJP leader Sushma Swaraj, who accused the government of not tackling inflation and ignoring the common man.
Here are the highlights of what she said:
- The government is not concerned about the common man
- I have always said that people's stomach is not filled with numbers, but with food
- You sometimes say that people's appetites, the growth in population etc... have led to inflation. Pranabda which poor person is eating so much today?
- Harvard and Oxford cannot explain the Indian economy. People talking in numbers cannot understand the plight of this country or solve its problems. So please listen to me. You often talk about rising incomes but please also look at the poor. I have risen to talk about the theliwalas and rediwalas. Did their incomes increase? In fact, whatever they had has been wiped out due to inflation. Please consider them when you say that incomes are rising.
- Farmers across the country are in terrible shape. Your import-export policies are responsible for this. The farmer sells one thing but buys everything else.
- If FDI came, then the theliwalas and rediwalas will be destroyed. Reforms are those that improve the quality of life of the people here and not those that improve our image in the US.
- You say that international prices have grown? Except for fuel what is this true of? You say that the rising population is responsible for inflation. Then how can you say that inflation will come under control in a few months? Inflation is due to this Govt's flawed policies and rampant corruption.
- Due to these policies the Rupee has fallen, grains are rotting, fuel prices are rising. RBI has to keep raising interest levels. You increase debt and taxes. Housing sector and infrastructure sectors are adversely impacted. Not only are new highways not being constructed, old ones are also falling to pieces. If you brought back black money stashed away abroad and curbed corruption, then inflation will be controlled.
- We aim to talk about price rise but the conversation always gets delayed
- I congratulate Pranabda to make this conversation possible