Govt draws HC ire over rising prices despite guarantee schemes

Bengaluru: The High Court has expressed concern over the rising cost of essential commodities, questioning the government’s approach of announcing guarantee schemes while allowing the burden of everyday expenses on ordinary people to increase.

A bench headed by Justice Srishananda raised the issue during a hearing on a petition, observing that people were finding it increasingly difficult to manage household expenses. In a sarcastic remark, the court reportedly said that while government schemes were free, price increases were certain, and questioned whether this was the situation with all government programmes.

The bench cited the sharp increase in ghee prices to illustrate the pressure on consumers. A kilogram of ghee, which reportedly cost Rs. 650 last month, was now priced at Rs. 850, marking a rise of Rs. 200 in a short period. Referring to the Deepavali tradition of lighting a Yama Deepa, the court questioned how ordinary families could afford even such customary practices when essential commodities were becoming expensive. It made a pointed remark that people might as well ask Yama to take them away rather than struggle with the rising cost of living.

The bench also took note of rice being priced at Rs. 103 per kg, along with increases in milk prices and bus fares. It questioned how families could cope with higher grocery bills and transport expenses despite the government’s welfare announcements. The court further referred to the government’s sugarcane support price of Rs. 3,600 per tonne and expressed concern over the possibility of sugar prices reaching Rs. 90 per kg after Deepavali.

The issue of higher prices being charged even for old stocks was also raised. The bench was informed about shortages in foodgrain stocks maintained under the Anna Bhagya scheme, including 320 quintals of rice and 85 quintals of wheat. These observations were made while hearing a petition filed by a senior manager of the Mysuru warehouse seeking the quashing of a case registered against him. The court adjourned the matter to November 11.

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