There is no doubt that due to the stoppage or reduction of common activities of life, there is a decline in production in all sectors and due to lack of supply in proportion to demand, the price of any commodity remains high.
But such cases are also not hidden that the operating forces of the market sometimes affect the prices by arbitrarily controlling the supply of goods.
Some time ago, when the prices of some items of daily need fell in the market, it was hoped that people would probably get relief gradually from the long period of inflation.
But now once again retail inflation has taken the rising trend, the hope of relief from it has once again started getting hazy.
In this way, in the government data, wholesale inflation has come down to the lowest level of more than two years at 3.85 percent and the rate of wholesale inflation has also registered a decline.
But if the prices of food items have increased, then the effect of inflation from the point of view of the general public will be seen on this basis.
According to government data released on Tuesday, the decline in wholesale inflation was mainly due to lower prices of manufactured goods, fuel and energy.
However, the prices of food items increased during this period. Thus, February this year is the ninth consecutive month when the decline in wholesale inflation has been recorded.
But the rate of inflation in food articles which was 2.38 per cent in January has gone up to 3.81 per cent in February.
Evidently, despite the moderating trend in WPI inflation, not only did the common man not get any respite at the level of prices of essential commodities, but the difficulties of the people already suffering from this problem were further deepened.
In fact, the effect of increase in the prices of food and drink items is mainly related to how satisfactory the income of the people is and what is the extent of their purchasing power.
If the income of the people also increases parallel to the increase in the prices of goods, then it is not seen as a burden.
About three years ago, due to the pandemic, the effect of the complete ban on all sectors from the market to work or employment is now slowly getting relief, but its results can be felt even today.
There is no doubt that due to the stoppage or reduction of common activities of life, there is a decline in production in all sectors and due to lack of supply in proportion to demand, the price of any commodity remains high.
But such cases are also not hidden that the operating forces of the market sometimes affect the prices by arbitrarily controlling the supply of goods.
If the apprehensions being expressed by the experts come true, then there could be more difficulties in the coming months especially in the matter of food inflation.
Significantly, in the form of upheaval in the climate system, the signs related to the intense effect of El Nino are coming out, its effect can be multi-layered.
If it comes according to the estimates, then there may be a rise in the prices of wheat crop, vegetables and fruits, along with it, there may be a strong heat, power crisis, wheat crop, vegetables and fruits.
Then the next few months are crucial for pulses and gram and if there is not enough rain, its cycle will also be negatively affected.
Moreover, there is no hiding the activities of hoarders and black marketeers in the market during such crises.
Therefore, if the government has an honest will to provide relief to the common people on the front of inflation and income amid many challenges, then it will have to take a tough stand against hoarders of food items.
