Sirsa MP, former Union Minister, Congress National General Secretary and Congress Working Committee (CWC) member Kumari Selja has expressed concern over rising inflation and unemployment, alleging that both the Central and Haryana governments have failed to provide relief to the common people. She said the continuous increase in the prices of essential commodities, coupled with a shortage of stable and dignified employment opportunities, has placed an increasing financial burden on poor and middle-class families.

Selja said reports based on the Ministry of Consumer Affairs’ Price Monitoring System indicate that the prices of several household essentials have risen significantly over the past five months. According to the data, edible oil prices have increased by nearly ₹8 per litre, pulses by around ₹6 per kilogram, milk by ₹3 per litre and sugar by approximately ₹2.25 per kilogram. She added that even modest increases in the prices of daily necessities severely affect the monthly budgets of families with limited incomes.

She noted that rising expenditure on fuel, food items, vegetables, education, healthcare, electricity, housing and transportation has made it increasingly difficult for ordinary families to manage their monthly expenses, leaving little or no scope for savings. The impact of inflation, she said, is being felt most by labourers, farmers, small traders, salaried employees and the middle class.

Highlighting unemployment as another pressing concern, Selja said many young people spend years preparing for competitive examinations in the hope of securing permanent government jobs. However, she claimed that contractual employment is increasingly replacing regular recruitment in several sectors, forcing even highly qualified candidates, including PhD holders, to accept comparatively low-paying contractual positions. She stressed that educated youth deserve secure and dignified employment commensurate with their qualifications and skills.

The Congress leader said her party has consistently advocated policies aimed at protecting the interests of farmers, workers, employees, youth and the middle class. She argued that true development should be measured not merely by economic indicators but by improved household incomes, stable employment and affordable access to essential commodities.

Selja urged the Central and Haryana governments to strengthen price monitoring mechanisms, take strict action against hoarding and profiteering, and accelerate transparent recruitment to fill vacant government posts. She also called for an employment policy that prioritises permanent jobs and provides greater social and economic security for young people.

POD/DESK