Inflation Hits Household Budgets, Increases Financial Burden on Poor and Middle-Class Families: Kumari Selja

CHANDIGARH | PEN OF DEMOCRACY NEWS DESK

Sirsa MP, former Union Cabinet Minister, All India Congress Committee general secretary and Congress Working Committee member Kumari Selja has questioned the economic policies of the BJP-led Union government over rising inflation, saying that the continued increase in the prices of essential food items is placing a growing financial burden on poor families, farmers, labourers, employees and the middle class.

Selja said rising food prices were making it increasingly difficult for households to manage their monthly budgets. Families with limited incomes were particularly vulnerable because a larger share of their earnings went towards everyday necessities, leaving less money for education, healthcare, savings and other essential expenses.

Referring to inflation figures cited in her statement, Selja said the retail inflation rate had reached 5.54 per cent, while food inflation stood at 7.74 per cent. She also cited increases of 108 per cent in onion prices, around 55 per cent in garlic prices and approximately 63 per cent in ginger prices. These figures are those cited in her statement and have not been independently verified for this report.

Rising food costs squeeze household budgets

Selja said the impact of inflation extended beyond the kitchen. As spending on food and other daily necessities rises, families are forced to make difficult choices between essential needs such as nutritious meals, children’s education, medical treatment and other household expenses. The pressure also reduces their ability to save for emergencies or future requirements.

She argued that economic policies should be assessed not only by broader indicators of growth but also by whether ordinary citizens can afford the goods and services they need. Economic progress, she said, becomes meaningful when families are able to meet their basic needs with dignity.

Calling for concrete action, Selja urged the Union government to strengthen monitoring of essential commodity prices and take effective measures against hoarding and black marketing. She also called for improvements in the food supply system to ensure that essential items remain available to consumers at reasonable rates.

She said the government must work towards balancing the interests of both producers and consumers. Farmers should receive fair prices for their produce, while consumers should be able to purchase essential commodities without facing an excessive burden on their household budgets.

Selja maintained that the concerns of low- and middle-income families required practical responses rather than assurances alone. Effective monitoring, timely action against market irregularities and a dependable supply of essential goods were among the measures she said could help ease pressure on households.

BOX: Stop Harassing Farmers Over Paddy Moisture, Says Kumari Selja

Kumari Selja has also expressed concern over difficulties reportedly faced by farmers during paddy procurement at grain markets in Haryana. Referring to the Faggu and Rori mandis in Sirsa district, she said farmers had complained that the moisture content of their paddy was recorded at 17 per cent in the morning but was shown as 20 per cent in the evening, after which procurement was reportedly refused.

According to figures cited by Selja, the district’s mandis had recorded the arrival of 3,70,201 quintals of paddy, while procurement had accounted for only 1,06,489 quintals. She also referred to complaints that procurement had not started at seven purchase centres. These figures and complaints are attributed to Selja’s statement.

Selja urged the government to ensure transparency in moisture testing, start procurement immediately at all designated centres and arrange timely lifting of purchased produce. She said farmers should not be subjected to avoidable difficulties at mandis and that the government had a responsibility to ensure the fair and timely procurement of their crops.

The complaints cited by Selja raise concerns about the need for consistent testing procedures, clear communication with farmers and effective coordination at procurement centres. Transparent checks and timely purchasing decisions are important to prevent uncertainty for farmers who bring their produce to market.