PANJIM: Rising prices of consumables dampened the festival of Gudi Padwa, which signals the beginning of the New Year and the start of spring. People were upset that when the BJP government boasts of a “double engine sarkar” it is unaffected by people struggling to make ends meet.
Speaking to Herald, Avinash Bhosle of Panjim said, “There is a need to stand up and fight inflation and organise a protest against the increased prices. Even local vendors in the Panjim municipal market expressed concern that their business is down due to inflation. I have brought a big bag, but with the money that I have brought I will not be able to fill it with my purchases.”
He added that the hike in prices of fuel and gas has shattered budgets. “Gudi Padwa is a Hindu new year, and a so-called ‘Hindu party’ is governing in Goa and at the Centre. Even then the start of the New Year is steeped in inflation. We feel pity that this very same BJP used to shout from rooftops whenever prices of coconut used to go up and protest against inflation. Where have the BJP women who were protesting gone?” Bhosle asked.
An elderly gentleman who was shopping in the Panjim market said, “Inflation is crushing us. Government has to do something about it. Parties say elect us but once they are in government they do nothing.”
He added, “Private employees have to suffer, our salaries don’t go up. Only salaries of government servants go up”.
Andrew Fernandes said, “Now inflation has hit the roof. You know how petrol prices have crossed Rs 100. We were thinking that if the BJP government comes to power, prices would come down. On the contrary prices are going up. Government should think about the people. They should do what is good for the people. So I’m asking the government to do something to bring down the prices.”
Hafeez Khan, a vendor said that due to the steep hike in prices, they are not doing much business in Panjim market. There are not even proper facilities in the market. “I’m appealing to the BJP government to fix metres for each individual. They should help us to do some business,” he said and added, “School fees have gone up, rents have increased, petrol has crossed Rs 100. We can only survive if we do business. At the age of 45 I cannot get any job.”
Hafeez went on to say, “Manohar Parrikar had built this Panjim Municipal Market. There is no need for such a big samadhi for him. There is need to improve the market as he would have wanted. Bhai did not say that a huge samadhi should be built for him. If his soul should rest in peace, there needs to be improvement in the market.”
A woman senior citizen who was purchasing onions asked, “Inflation is increasing by the day. When will prices ever come down? At least I can afford to purchase things. But what will happen to the marginalised sections? All vegetables have become costly. Onions are now retailing at Rs 30. We get only 5 litres of petrol for Rs 500. What should we do?”
“I want to tell (chief Minister) Pramod Sawant see if you can control this inflation and bring down the prices. People are crying here,” she added
Another senior citizen woman who was accompanying her said, “Till now we were coming to market by cars. Now we will have to come by cycles. Otherwise at our age, we will only have to walk.”
