TN Assembly Debates Price Rise as Minister Cites Fuel Costs and Iran War

State Food Minister P Venkataramanan told the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly in Chennai on Friday that the State government is monitoring the prices of 41 essential commodities on a daily basis and taking measures to ensure adequate market supply without shortages.

The minister made the statement while replying to a call attention motion moved by Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin concerning the sharp increase in the prices of essential goods. Venkataramanan attributed the extraordinary cost escalation of essential commodities to the Iran war alongside hikes in petrol and diesel prices.

Moving the motion, Udhayanidhi Stalin highlighted that prices of basic goods including rice, pulses, cooking oil, and sugar have increased manifold over the past three months, placing a severe burden on the public. He urged the government to roll out dedicated relief schemes, recalling that former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi had introduced a scheme in 2007 to distribute essential items through ration shops below market rates during a similar economic crisis. He also called for improvements in the quality of rice and sugar distributed through fair price shops.

Former Chief Minister and AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami participated in the discussion, listing the prevailing market prices of essential goods. Palaniswami stated that the state government has a responsibility to procure essential items directly from states where they are sold at cheaper rates and distribute them across Tamil Nadu.

Several other legislators took part in the debate, criticising the administration over rising living costs and urging immediate intervention. Lawmakers who joined the discussion included Tharahai Cuthbert of the Congress, A Ganeshkumar of the PMK, Chellasamy of the CPM, and Thalli Ramachandran of the CPI.