'UPA is not like NDA, inflation will come down'

DASMUNSI DOUBLESPEAK? The performance of the Congress-led Govt will surpass the NDA rule, says Dasmuni.

      

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Is the Government limping towards the General Elections and has it become a lame duck in its administration? This is the key issue that Karan Thapar discusses with Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi on Devils Advocate.

Karan Thapar: There is widespread belief that your Government has lost control over its agenda and that it is limping towards elections. Have you become a lame duck administration?

Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi: Absolutely not. This is a campaign of those who want to crush the economy of India and want to see to it that the UPA Government does not complete its full term. But that is not the case. We are in position. Parliament, Government and all of us are in position.

Karan Thapar: Let’s look at the serious challenges you faced and let us start with inflation. It has already touched 8.5 per cent and it’s heading towards 10 per cent or even 11 per cent. You have any idea when inflation will start to fall?

Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi: I am hopeful that by the time we get hold of the prospect of Kharif crop, the inflation will come dramatically down and substantially down.

Karan Thapar: You are saying two important things. Firstly, it will not start coming down till October.

Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi: I think the trend will start before October and much depends on the oil economy of the whole world.

Karan Thapar: You also said that by October, it will come substantially down. How much is substantially down?

Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi: I cannot calculate how much would be substantially down but it will certainly be the best in Asia and surpass the figures and statistics of the NDA rule.

Karan Thapar: I am doubtful because in March, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said that inflation will soon start coming down. He was wrong. In April, Kamal Nath claimed that the decline had started and he was wrong.

Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi: Chidambaram and Kamal Nath did expect but again both could not imagine like the nation that the oil economy would go beyond anyone's control. Saudi King himself is trying his best.

Karan Thapar: In that case, how do I know what you are saying is not wrong. How do I know that your prediction will come true and is not a false hope?

Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi: Prediction is the word of astrologers and not politicians.

Karan Thapar: But this is exactly what you are doing. You have no basis for your conviction that inflation will come down in October.

Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi: We are absolutely convinced when we say that the figures will come down. Inflation figures cannot be exactly predicted that it would go to that astronomical figure. I am confident when I say that our country's economy is one of the best.

Karan Thapar: I’ll give you a second reason. I am not saying g this only because Chidambaram was wrong or Kamal Nath was wrong...

Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi: Nobody is wrong. I can’t predict tomorrow what OPEC will decide.

Karan Thapar: Reason why I am doubting you is because last week on this programme Montek Singh Ahluwalia said that if the oil prices increase internationally after June 4, then India will be forced to raise prices of LPG and petrol. And since June 4, the international prices of petrol have increased by $15, which is over 12 per cent. So instead of inflation coming down as you are saying, it is actually destined to go up.