PATNA: The growing prices of essential commodities have added to the woes of common people already hit hard financially due to the Covid-19 and the following lockdown last year.
While the COMFED, which sells its products in the state and outside under the brand name ‘Sudha’, has decided to increase the prices of the available varieties of milk by Rs2 per litre, the government has also hiked the LPG price by Rs25 per cylinder.
Executive director and state head of Indian Oil Corporation, Vibhash Kumar, said the fuel pricing is linked to various aspects like import parity, international crude oil prices plus the local taxes. “The fluctuation in prices from the past few months is due to the change in international crude prices. Since there is a substantial price rise in international market and it cannot be applied in one go, a percentage of it is raised every month,” he explained.
Rajiv Verma, general manager of
Bihar State Milk Cooperative Federation Ltd (COMFED), said the new prices will be effective from Sunday. “The rate of milk procurement has also been increased by Rs2.43 per litre on the farmers’ demands. They were demanding hike due to the increase in production cost,” he said.
However, he justified the price hike saying that the farmers would benefit from it. “Other states have already increased the rate of milk and its products. Due to increase in various operational costs, the consumer price of milk has been revised,” Verma said.
The price hike of such basic commodities has disappointed common people. “This past year, we have incurred additional charges from frequent visits to hospitals, regular check-ups for
Covid, medications and other things. The government should not increase the price of basic commodities as the pandemic has already affected we the middle class people,” said Shashi Sinha, a 54-year-old homemaker.
Tripti Prakash, a resident of Krishna Nagar, echoed similar views. “The government should listen to the common people and offer some respite. Instead of increasing the prices of milk and LPG, government should come up with other plans to stabilize the economy,” she said.
Expressing concern over her personal finances, Vandana Singh of Boring Road area said, “Being a homemaker, it’s becoming difficult for me to manage my household budget. The increased prices will further burden the household expenses.”
Amrendra Kumar, state LPG head of Bharat Petroleum, said, “The constant price hike is now a routine phenomenon which the people have to adjust to. Nothing can be done about it from our side.”