It's an issue that's brought down governments in the past: the rising price of staples. In the last month the prices of rice, dal and vegetables have skyrocketed. The early rain and the fuel price hike haven't helped. The basics are being watered down in housewife Meenaxi Dubey's household with dal, that staple on the family table being been hit by spiralling prices. And it is no longer a constant with every meal.