Maharashtra saw over 50 per cent price rise in many essential commodities, during the last five years, which affected mostly rural areas, the state Economic Survey has said.
The rise was observed mainly due to increase in prices of rice, wheat, tur dal, moong dal, potato, onion and sugar, the survey, tabled in the state Legislature, said.
“About 50 per cent and more hike was seen in tur dal, moong dal, potato, sugar, jaggery and onion prices. About 25 to 50 per cent rise was observed in prices of Urid dal, masur dal, garlic, turmeric powder and up to 25 per cent of hike in rice, bajra, milk, ghee, eggs and fish,” the survey said.
The drastic increase in essential commodities last year adversely affected food prices in rural part of the state, recording a rise of 23.5 points, two points higher than the urban parts, it said.
“The Consumer Price Index (CPI) i.e. prices of retail transactions, for rural areas in April, 2009 was 149.3, which continuously increased and reached 172.8 in December, 2009, thus recording a rise of 23.5 points which was the highest in last five years,” the survey said.
The situation was not different in urban areas, where in April, 2009 CPI for was 144.1, which increased to 165.9 in December, recording a rise of 21.8 points, it said.