Odisha Registers Highest Inflation In Country, BJP Puts Blame On BJD

Bhubaneswar: The BJP on Saturday targeted the ruling BJD as Odisha registered highest inflation among the states in the country in March.

Speaking to media persons in Bhubaneswar, BJP spokesman Satyabrata Panda said Odisha recorded highest retail inflation of 7.1% against national rate of 4.9% in March, as per the monthly data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. The inflation in rural areas of the state was 7.3% and in urban areas, it was 6.5%.

Panda said the prices of onion and garlic have skyrocketed in the state pushing the vegetables beyond the reach of common people. “The state government has failed to control the price rise of essential commodities for the last 6 months. While the national inflation rate has been lowest in the last 5 months, it is highest in Odisha,” he said.

The BJP leader said the Centre has been able to put the price rise under control despite Ukraine war and Middle-East disturbances, but the BJD government could not check the inflation. It showed a deep conspiracy, he alleged.

Panda blamed the collection of huge funds from the traders by the BJD to meet its election expenses and inefficiency of the Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare department for price rise in Odisha. He called upon the people of the state to vote the ‘inefficient’ BJD out of power in the election to save themselves from economic exploitation.