To tackle ‘drought’, Modi calls food ministers meet

To tackle ‘drought’, Modi calls food ministers meet
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To Tackle ‘Drought’, Narendra Modi Calls Food Ministers Meet. Rising inflation has become a source of worry for the Modi government. It is not only potatoes and onions, whose prices have soared but there has also been a hike in the rail fare, petrol and diesel prices.

New Delhi: Rising inflation has become a source of worry for the Modi government. It is not only potatoes and onions, whose prices have soared but there has also been a hike in the rail fare, petrol and diesel prices. On Tuesday, the prices of non-subsidized LPG cylinder were raised by Rs 16.50. On Tuesday, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh declared a drought-like situation in the western part of India, with the failure of monsoon.

With the situation expected to worsen with the passing day, the BJP-led NDA government is bracing to defend itself, ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament.

Traders rest on the sacks of onion in Navi Mumbai market. Onion prices have been shooting up for the past two weeks

With the monsoon failing to show any progress, Modi has convened Food Ministers Conference on July 4 that will be chaired by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in the run-up to the Monsoon Session on July 7, where the Cong-led Oppn is ready to launch a tirade against the newly-elected government.

Preparing itself to face the onslaught of the Opposition, the Centre is keen to involve the State Governments in its fight to contain prices of essential commodities. Along with the State governments, the Centre will chalk-out a strategy to jointly take-on the hoarders in order to ensure smooth supply of food articles like potatoes and onions.

Modi has asked his Ministers to rope-in the State governments as well to jointly combat the situation that affects the aam aadmi. Sources stated PM’s Principal Secretary Nripendra Mishra called up Union Food Secretary, directing him to convene the meeting at the earliest.

In his letter to the State governments, the Food Secretary said, “Needless to say, the rise in prices of onion has been a matter of great concern with the government. Several steps have been taken recently to bring under control the rise in prices of this essential item.”

Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said that there are enough stocks of rice, wheat and sugar, which can be released in the market to control the situation.

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