Congress Targets Government Over Rising Commodity Prices Amid Sugar Stock Crisis

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused the Narendra Modi government of failing to contain rising prices of essential commodities. The criticism comes as sugar stocks in India have reached a nine-year low, with prices increasing by nearly 40% in recent months.

Kharge questioned whether the diversion of sugarcane and grain for ethanol production under the E20 policy was contributing to the rise in sugar prices. He asked why India, the world's largest sugar producer and exporter, had to halt exports and import one million tonnes of sugar duty-free.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh also attacked the government over inflation, saying it was affecting household budgets beyond just kitchen essentials. Ramesh cited price increases over the past month, including flour rising from ₹32 to ₹40 a kg and rice from ₹42 to ₹54.

Ramesh warned that the public would remember the government's handling of prices and 'will not forgive'. He claimed that there was no effort to control inflation, which had led to sharp increases in everyday goods such as soap, detergent, toothpaste, biscuits, tyres, and cars.