Price Rise

Price Rise is the bane of the modern world. Prices of essential commodities go on rising every day despite the professed and genuine efforts of the government.

The main reason for the sky-rocketing of prices is the unabated rise in population at an alarming rate. As compared to China, India has failed miserably in controlling its population. Another reason for the price rise is the huge loss of man-days as a result of frequent strikes and lock-outs in the industrial units. This leads to a shortfall in production. Then India is still a developing country. Huge capital expenditure is still going on in the form of construction activities and in the form of the establishment of new units. An average Indian has considerably awakened to the reality of raising his living standard in the matter of eating, housing, medical aid, and providing education to his children. He is also fond of recreation through T.V., V.C.R., cinema, transistor, etc. All this expenditure pushes up the rate of living. Those who can afford, also purchase luxurious items like the refrigerator, air conditioner, desert cooler, geyser, and other such gadgets. There is also a lot of wastage on parties, dinners, inauguration, and other functions and on canvassing, publicity, and propaganda during elections. The hoarders, stockists, and black marketeer are also push up prices by causing an artificial scarcity in the market. Wars and arms race also lead to shortage and price-rice.

It is a pity that even more than fifty years after independence, most of the Indians are still leading a dog's life. Only some lucky ones roll in luxury. The government should take some drastic steps to keep prices under control.