The Iran war and the resulting rise in petrol and diesel prices have contributed to the increase in prices of essential commodities in Tamil Nadu, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Venkataramanan told the Assembly, as reported in Tamil News18.
Responding to concerns over rising prices raised through a calling-attention motion, the Minister said the increase in the prices of essential commodities was being witnessed not only in Tamil Nadu but across several States.
Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, Communist Party MLA Thali Ramachandran and PMK MLA Ganesh Kumar, among others, had raised the issue in the Assembly and sought details of the steps being taken by the government to control prices and prevent shortages.
“The rise in the prices of essential commodities has occurred due to the increase in petrol and diesel prices caused by the Iran war. The prices of essential commodities have increased not only in Tamil Nadu but also in several other States,” Venkataramanan said.
He said the Food and Civil Supplies Department was monitoring the prices of 41 essential commodities every day, including rice, sugar, onions, tomatoes and other vegetables, with inputs being collected from districts across the State.
“The government led by the Chief Minister, through the Food Department, is continuously monitoring the prices of 41 commodities every day. We are continuously monitoring rice, sugar and various vegetables including onions and tomatoes from all districts. Steps are being taken to ensure that these commodities reach the people easily without any shortage,” he said.
The Minister said the Price Monitoring Committee reviews price movements every week and examines the reasons behind increases and possible measures to control them.
“In the Price Monitoring Committee, we examine every week which commodities have witnessed a price increase, how to control their prices, and what the reasons for the increase are. If the price of onions rises, steps are being taken to ensure that onions are supplied without any shortage,” he said.
He added that vegetables were also being sold at lower prices through Poomalai shops in addition to ration shops.
“Vegetables are being provided to people at lower prices not only through ration shops but also through Poomalai shops,” Venkataramanan said.
He assured the Assembly that the government would take measures to address both inflation and shortages.
“Even if there is an increase in prices or a shortage of commodities, this government will take swift action to address these issues and ensure that essential commodities are supplied to the public without shortage,” he said.
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