Inflation – Congress Targets Centre as Wholesale Price Inflation Climbs Further in June
Inflation – The Congress on Wednesday launched a fresh attack on the Central government after the latest wholesale inflation figures showed a further increase in June. The opposition party argued that the continued rise in prices reflects deeper economic challenges and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address growing public concerns over inflation, employment, and the broader state of the economy.
Congress Raises Concerns Over Economic Direction
Congress general secretary for communications Jairam Ramesh said the government’s economic approach has failed to protect ordinary citizens from mounting financial pressure. In a statement shared on social media, he claimed the party had repeatedly cautioned the government in recent months about worsening economic conditions but alleged that those warnings were ignored.
According to Ramesh, the latest inflation figures, combined with pressure on agricultural production and higher energy costs, point to an increasingly difficult economic environment. He maintained that the situation requires immediate policy attention rather than political messaging.
Inflation and Agriculture Under Pressure
Referring to official data, the Congress leader highlighted that wholesale price inflation reached 9.87 percent in June, marking the highest level recorded in nearly four years. He also pointed to a sharp increase in fuel and electricity prices and said agricultural sowing had fallen to its lowest level in three years.
Ramesh argued that farmers are facing multiple challenges, including unfavorable weather conditions and policy-related difficulties. He added that households are simultaneously coping with rising prices and concerns over employment, making the overall economic situation more challenging for many families.
Industry Also Feeling the Impact
The opposition party claimed that higher wholesale prices are increasing production expenses across several industries. According to its assessment, sustained inflation is affecting businesses by raising operational costs, which may eventually influence consumer prices and economic activity.
Ramesh further alleged that instead of focusing on controlling inflation, the government has been attempting to shift public attention away from key economic issues. He described the latest wholesale price data as evidence of what he called shortcomings in the government’s economic management.
Government Faces Questions Over Inflation
The Congress questioned the government’s priorities at a time when, according to the party, multiple sections of society are experiencing economic stress. Ramesh said the Prime Minister should directly explain the reasons behind the persistent rise in inflation after more than a decade in office.
He maintained that citizens expect clear answers on the government’s strategy to contain rising prices and improve overall economic conditions.
Official Data Shows Broad-Based Price Increase
Government data released for June showed wholesale price inflation rising to 9.87 percent from 9.68 percent recorded in May. The increase was mainly driven by higher prices across both food and non-food categories. The latest Wholesale Price Index figures are based on the revised 2022–23 base year.
Food inflation accelerated to 5.49 percent during June compared with 3.60 percent a month earlier. Officials attributed the increase largely to higher food prices following below-normal rainfall linked to the El Niño weather pattern.
Inflation for non-food articles stood at 11.07 percent during the month, while mineral prices registered inflation of 9.45 percent. Meanwhile, inflation in the fuel and power segment eased to 27.41 percent from 30.33 percent in May, although it remained elevated. Inflation in manufactured products remained unchanged at 7.48 percent for the second consecutive month.
Overall, the latest figures indicate that inflationary pressures continue across several sectors of the economy, with policymakers likely to closely monitor price movements and their impact on businesses, farmers, and consumers in the coming months.