The Finance Minister said that price rise is a matter on which the Center is very sensitive and responsible.
Bengaluru:
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today said inflation has been kept at or below 6 per cent despite headwinds as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
He said that price rise is a matter on which the Center is very sensitive and responsive.
Nirmala Sitharaman said that the pandemic and the conflict have had an impact on the prices of goods imported by India, adding that the government has taken measures including providing subsidies.
“Will you compare the situation prevailing everywhere, especially after COVID, especially after Russia and Ukraine war? All the goods we import are skyrocketing. They are not produced in India . We import completely. Is this price hike mine? ? But that cost is borne by me. And there, I have to support,” the minister said.
Nirmala Sitharaman said, “Inflation has been kept at or below six per cent even in these adverse circumstances. At times it goes up. Then we work together with the RBI and say please control it.”
Wherever this is not possible – for example crude oil and cooking gas, which are imported – the government tries to subsidise, he said.
“It may not be enough, but we try to subsidize,” she said.
Nirmala Sitharaman said, “We have to allow imports on a higher base and reduce customs duty so that more edible oil can come.”
In this regard, edible oil containers are being made around Mangaluru airport, the minister said.
Sitharaman said, “These are both short and medium term steps to bring down inflation so that the “common praja” or common citizen and their suffering can be alleviated.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)