Inflation genie still out of the bottle

The promises made in last year's financial budget to curb inflation have not been fulfilled as the prices of essential daily items such as vegetables, fruits, pulses, milk, curd, meat, rice, ghee, oil, tea, spices, and chicken have skyrocketed, making it increasingly difficult for the people to manage their household expenses.

Moreover, the rising unemployment rate has only exacerbated the situation. People face financial challenges every year after the budget is announced. The previous year's budget included promises to control inflation, but those promises were not fulfilled. The inflation started on July 1, 2023, and still shows no signs of abating.

According to market data and figures, potatoes were Rs30 to Rs40 per kg in June 2023, today they are being sold at Rs100 per kg; onions were Rs40 per kg last year and today they are Rs100 to Rs150 per kg; garlic was Rs350 last year and today its Rs600 per kg; ginger was sold at Rs330 per kg last year and today at Rs550; tomatoes’ price was Rs70 per kg last year and today they are being sold at Rs80.

Okra was sold at Rs120 last year while today it is Rs200 kg; lemon was last year Rs300 and today they are Rs700 kg; red gram was Rs400 per kg last year while today it is Rs540 per kg.

Milk was sold at Rs180 a litre last year and today it is being sold at Rs210 a litre, yoghurt last year was Rs190 per kg and now today it is being sold at Rs230 per kg.

Similarly, mutton last year was Rs16,00 kg and today it is Rs23,00 kg; beef was Rs900 per kg and today it is being sold between Rs1,250 to Rs1,300 per kg; chicken last year was Rs500 per kg and today it is being sold at Rs550 per kg; eggs last year were Rs250 a dozen and today they are Rs270 a dozen.