Chaitraly Deshmukh-Tajane

Pune Sambhaji Garden became an epicentre of activity between 11.30 am and 3 pm on Wednesday as Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) organised the ‘Modi Inflation bazaar’ with the help of some women self-help groups. Vegetables, grains, fish and other consumable products were sold via select women self-help groups.

Stalls were put up by various NCP leaders with a banner indicating that it is an ‘inflation bazaar’ along with the flag of NCP. Though stalls were open to selling vegetables, fruits and animal flesh, only carrots, fish and Jamun were sold totally to about Rs 450 in four hours.

“The prices of daily use commodities have reached the sky. Livelihood has become unaffordable for every person. People are already facing financial crisis as they are slowly recovering from the pandemic, inflation is now an added pain. The prices of vegetables have increased and this needs to be addressed faster otherwise people will be badly affected. Malnutrition issues are also on the rise. The Central government must take cognisance of inflation and act,” said Prasant Jagtap, NCP city president. Calling it a complete failure of the central government, Jagtap said, “What is the use of staying in the central government if you are unable to understand and fulfil the citizens’ needs.”

Though stalls were open to selling vegetables, fruits and animal flesh, only carrots, fish and Jamun were sold totally to about Rs 450 in four hours.

Highlighting the inflation issue, Rupali Patil Thombare, city vice president, NCP, spoke about how prices of commodities have increased by 100 per cent. The prices of tomatoes and jamun have reached 100 rupees per kilogram, she said.

“Let the pain of the common man reach the government. Both the sellers and the buyers are facing grave issues,” she said.