Odisha Assembly boils over edible oil

Bhubaneswar, Mar 30: The Odisha Assembly today expressed concerned over the inordinate price rise, adulteration and black marketing of edible oil. "The common man is suffering due to skyrocketing price of edible oil which is an essential ingredient of the daily dishes," said Congress member Tara Prasad Bahinipati. The Centre has waived five percent GST on edible oil. Besides, the Centre has hiked as excise duty on it. As a result, the price of edible oil has reached Rs 150 per litre. More over some dalals are adulterating edible oil. Apart from it, the state government should take steps to raise domestic production of edible oil in the state, said Bahinipati. Stating that the Centre is appropriating a lion's share of tax on edible oil, the Congress leader asked the state government to pressurise the Centre to reduce tax on this essential item. The mustard production is reducing by 50 percent in the state due to lack of marketing avenue, said Bahinipati. BJP Chief Whip Mohan Charan Majhi said that Odisha is depending on other states for edible oil. The government should give the details of domestic production and requirement of edible oil and take steps for increasing production of edible oil. Besides, the state government should intensify action against adulteration. Replying to the debate on the Opposition sponsored adjournment motion, Food and Civil Supply Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain blamed the Centre for the price rise of edible oil. The Centre has imposed 5.5 percent GST, 7.5 percent agricultural cess and 21 percent import duty. The price control of edible oil is the sole responsibility of the Centre, said the minister expressing helplessness of the state government.