NATIONAL Price Monitoring Committee (NPMC) on Wednes day noted that the current hike in prices of world food commodities may continue to remain strong in the months ahead owing to global supply bottlenecks which is likely to maintain or even add to the inflationary pressure in the country.
The consumers are now repeatedly being told by the government officials that the current rise in commodities prices is because of global rise in food commodities’ prices.
Certainly it is so, but it is also the responsibility of the government to protect the consumers, especially vulnerable groups through different interventions during these difficult times. Exempting food item imports from taxes and duties can really help bring down their prices.
Then the government can also extend maximum relief to the masses through the network of Utility Stores Corporation by reducing the profit margin.
The government must understand that the problem of price hike is badly affecting its popularity in the masses.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has repeatedly chaired meetings on this issue and the people are now compelled to raise the question as to what has been done on the ground to deal with it.
It will not be hyperbole to say that it has now become difficult for the marginalized segments of the society to make both ends meet.
Hence, there should not be any further delay in providing direct cash subsidies to the vulnerable groups.
Government must take immediate steps and intervene to check further depreciation of the rupee as its fall further bolsters the prices of commodities.
In addition, as the government is about to enter into another agreement with Saudi Arabia to avail oil facility on deferred payment, hence, no further increase should be made in the prices of petroleum products in order to keep the prices under some control.
As we have repeatedly been stating in these columns, steps must be taken to improve the income levels of salaried class.
The government has done well by increasing the house rental ceiling by forty four percent to provide relief to this class. But it must also ensure that these announcements are also implemented.
It is unfortunate that there are several departments whose employees are still awaiting payment of twenty five percent disparity allowance and ten percent ad hoc relief announced earlier this year.
