Wednesday, August 29, 2012

“The government is trying its level best to control the inflation rate”

Oscar Fernandes, former minister and General Secretary AICC, on functioning of UPA-II and how the government plans to resolve the suffering of the common man. by Pramod Kumar

B&E: There is a constant hue and cry over the failure of proper functioning of UPA II? Your comments?
OSCAR Fernandes (OF): The UPA-II is completely devoted towards the social sector. Our first step was job guarantee through NERGA. Then the government started the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. There are several flagship programmes run by the central government. The impact is an increase in the purchasing power of Aam Aadmi. For example, a person who gets employment for hundred days can now purchase 50 kg of rice and wheat if he belongs to the BPL category.

B&E: Whatever the government had promised has not translated into reality? There seems to be a lack of attempts to reach the aam aadmi, who is suffering due to soaring prices...
OF: I don’t agree with this argument. The beneficiaries are increasing day-by-day. I can give you an example. Five years back, the number of vehicles in cities was much less. Now, the same cities are overcrowded in terms of number of vehicles. This shows that the purchasing power of people is increasing. Same is the situation in other cities too. People are by-and-large happy and contented. They are leading a comfortable life.

B&E: How can you justify rising inflation rate, Naxal problem and conflicts in Jammu and Kashmir?
OF: The government is trying its level best to control the inflation rate. However, at the same time hoarding and unnatural scarcity of food grains are also to be blamed. It’s the responsibility of state governments to check hording and black-marketing. Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has already justified this in the Parliament – even the increase of oil prices. The government is also concentrating on social sector and the welfare of people.


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