News
Remove all taxes on essential food items
In recent times, we have not heard of any election where they have not spoken about the price of paddy, rice, potatoes, dhal, sugar and even common sprats. We have heard during elections slogans about the high cost of these products and the injustice to consumers. It is time we stopped just talking about the high prices of these essential items. I propose a few suggestions to the President for him to take some action.
At the last Presidential election, the talk was mainly based on our economy and how the people were struggling to find three meals a day, though there was no proof that people aredying of hunger. All beings survive because of food. So it is no strange matter to talk of hunger and having three meals a day. An agricultural country must talk about its people being satisfied food wise.
At the last Presidential election, there was a promise of giving a guaranteed price of Rs. 50 for paddy. We have around 25 to 30 bus loads of villagers coming to Gangaramaya for worship every day. They say in one voice that still the price of paddy is around Rs. 20 to 22. If this is true, the President must take action.
In economically developed Japan, rice industry is controlled by the State. Paddy is only bought by the State. If the government is compelled to buy paddy at a higher rate, it buys it and sells it to the consumer at a stipulated price but at a loss. If the government buys it at a lower price it makes a profit by selling it to the consumer at the stipulated price. This is how the price of paddy and rice is maintained in Japan. In Japan, only the price of paddy and rice is controlled.
From ancient times, we have had a problem over the price of paddy and rice. The President is from a rice growing area. He is aware that if the price of paddy increases so will the price of rice. The farmers sell the excess paddy keeping a portion for their consumption. But this affects the majority of people. According to farmers, by selling paddy at Rs. 22 they are suffering a big loss. So is the consumer.
Ruling party leaders are saying at the election meetings that the guaranteed price of paddy is Rs. 50. The villagers in far flung areas are saying their selling price is less than Rs. 22. Consumers are complaining that the price of rice is high. If that is the case how can the ordinary people believe that paddy is bought at Rs. 50? They will only be satisfied if the rice is available at a lower price and the farmer stops crying. No wonder what is spoken at election meetings is treated as a joke by most people.
The election campaign is being conducted in this atmosphere. Though we talk highly of the economy, the cost of living has not gone down. The rich and the poor in this country buy the bare essentials for their daily needs. These include onions, chilli, rice, condiments, sugar, dhal and even sprats. The President should use his powers to earn income from other sources and significantly lower the prices of essential items.
At least after this election no one should make the price of sprats, dhal, sugar and flour an issue. I have maintained that the Government does not need any extra tax from these products. We have to monitor whether the importers are buying the items at the lowest possible price and selling them also at a reasonable price.
There is little purpose in increasing salaries to cope with the rising cost of living. When this Government came to power rice was available at Rs. 50 and red onions at Rs. 55 a kilo. Today the price of red onions is Rs. 110 a kilo. The prices of other essential items have almost doubled during the past few months. If you say that salaries have been increased by Rs. 10,000, we could ask how many in this country have benefited. Though the salaries of public sector employees have been increased, private sector employees had not got any increment. So instead of talking about salary increases, the Government needs to remove all taxes on essential items.
At present, not only paddy production, but rubber and tea production also has gone down. We often hear promises of guaranteed prices for these main crops. Some say they have got a guaranteed price. Some have not. A solution needs to be found for this instead of spending so much money on printing election posters.
Today the price of rubber is around Rs. 200. The real price should be more than Rs. 300. The President needs to look into all these sectors. Just talking about giving relief is of little use. It must be given.