gÉÉŌ A.]ÉŌ. xÉÉxÉÉ

03.08.2010
Similarly, as correctly mentioned by others, with regard to hoarding and
black marketing, the Government should deal it with an iron hand. The
Government should be determined to fight this evil tendency. Then, strengthening
of the Public Distribution System is the only alternative to solve the problem. In
addition to that, taxation on petroleum products is also another important factor
which needs to be taken into consideration. Shri Basu Deb Acharia and our
Communist friends from Kerala were blaming the Government of India for this.
But what is happening. As correctly mentioned by Shri P.C. Chacko, they are
making capital out of this. Now, Kerala is the State where the taxation on
petroleum products is the highest in the country. What are they doing? Actually
there is a saying in Malayalam which means, “drum gets the beatings and the
drummer gets the money”. This is the policy of the Government of Kerala. They
are putting the blame on the Government of India, but they are putting all kinds of
taxes on petroleum products. The ∗ Finance Minister of the Government of Kerala
* is getting the gains at the cost of the most active Central Minister Prof. K.V.
Thomas. That is what is happening here.
So, how to handle the inflation? That is the basic question. As correctly
mentioned by others, we all have to put our heads together. Procurement, storage,
allocation and transportation of foodgrains are under the control of the
Government of India. Nobody can deny that. While talking about that, I would like
to say that strengthening of the Food Corporation of India is the main thing. This
is the problem and we cannot justify it. I have the Financial Express of today in
my hand. In their Editorial Page, they have written an article as to why the FCI
fails. It is inefficient as compared to private traders. Considering the time
constraint, I do not want to go into the details now.
∗ Not recorded.
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