1 Uncorrected/ Not for publication- 08.12.2009 SSS-AKG/11.00/1A ...

171Uncorrected/ Not for publication- 08.12.2009Minister of Agriculture assured this House that there is no shortage offoodgrains and that we have ample stocks of rice, wheat and otheressential items. According to the figures released by NAFED, during thefirst six months of this year, India exported ten lakh tonne onion. Thatshows that we have got ample foodgrains and other essential items.Still, we are facing shortage or scarcity of essential items and havingprice rise. What is the reason? The reason is: the economic policy ofthis Government, and, the unbridled liberalisation policy of theGovernment. The philosophy which guides this Government is that themarket forces will decide everything; market forces will decide the price.The measures taken by the Government are in tune with this philosophy.That is why, still, the Central Government is allowing future trading inmany essential items. So, the big traders and the corporate houses inretail trade are able to corner the food items, create artificial scarcity andincrease the prices. Another factor is the commodity exchange. Herealso, big players are able to manipulate the market. The Government isnot taking any measure to prevent hoarding and black-marketing. TheGovernment says that it is the concern of the State Governments. Sir,in 2002-03, there were two amendments in the Essential CommoditiesAct. That notification was repealed only partially. Still, the Governmentis not ready to repeal it totally, and, coordinate with the efforts taken bythe State Governments to prevent hoarding and black-marketing. Sir,everybody concedes that to contain price rise, and, to give relief to thecommon man, the only viable solution is extending and strengtheningthe public distribution system. I am very thankful to the hon. Minister forcommending the Kerala Government's performance in the public