1 Uncorrected/ Not for publication- 08.12.2009 SSS-AKG/11.00/1A ...

145Uncorrected/ Not for publication- 08.12.2009daily newspaper. It projects very clearly how the retail prices are rising,the inflation is used by sellers as an excuse to hike rates, and thedifference between the price in the wholesale market and the price inthe retail market is going up. If you look at the comparative prices ofvegetables, the price of ladyfingers is Rs.60/- in the retail market, andRs.28/-, in the wholesale market; the price of bottle gourd is Rs.40/- inthe retail market, and Rs.12/-, in the wholesale market, and the price ofcauliflower is Rs.30/- in the retail market, and Rs.5/-, in the wholesalemarket. This is from The Times of India, which is not a paperparticularly slanted in any political direction. I only use these figures andthe newspaper to say that this is an issue which also has very seriouspolitical dimensions. Therefore, Sir, it is not merely a question of politicswhen I say that it is the State Governments which also have to step in.As I said, the Government of India has no territory of its own. It is theState Governments that have to take a very strong action and crack thewhip against black-marketeers and hoarders. These people are doing atremendous disservice to our national economy and to the people of ourcountry. At the same time, we should address this entire issue of risingprices which also, Sir,. ...(Interruptions)... I have checked the figures....(Interruptions)... The point I would like to reiterate, Sir,is......(Interruptions)... These are my final concluding remarks. The factis that when I say this, I do not say this in a spirit of political blamegame. I do not take the name of any State; I do not take the name ofany political party. My issue is very simple. It is not a question of whyshould the States do it and why should the Centre do it. I believe thatthe Centre has to do its duty, and if it does not do its duty, they will be