Prices have doubled – Dr. Munnawar

MDP President Dr. Mohamed Munnawar has said that general expenses when compared to 6 months ago have risen twofold. He made the statement speaking at a news conference held by the party last week.

Dr. Munnawar noted that the increment to government employees was not a relief afforded to them. He noted the prices of many items such as cooking gas increased and that although the salaries has increased the actual benefit from such an increment is lost due to high inflation.

Speaking on the inflation Dr. Munnawar said he does not believe that the figures given by the government truly represent the actual inflation rate. He noted that the inflation rate depends on the standards employed by those who check it and without a proper analysis such figures would not be accurate. However he noted that doubling of the prices of goods used in day to day life can be taken as sign of inflation going up.
“Point to consider is, can we now buy the same amount of goods we bought six months ago for Rf100, we gave a “masbanas”(a fish bun) to our children when they went to school last year, can we them “masbanas now”? What can we afford to give our children considering the current prices? Those items which we bought for Rf100 half a year ago, we can only get for Rf200 or more” said Dr. Munawar speaking on the inflation.

The government has increased their salaries by 20 to 60 % from 1 Janauary. The government’s decision to increase the pay of the government employees were a much anticipated as well as very popular decision. Many have voiced their opinion to Miadhu saying that the President’s decision to raise the government salaries was a sound decision made with the welfare of the people in mind as the prices of many goods have reached unreachable heights.

A dissatisfied young person told Miadhu that while the rental charges of the apartments and prices of consumer goods are increasing government is still providing low salaries to young people who has obtained higher education. The young person who wishes to remain anonymous holds a degree in economics and told Miadhu that the actual inflation rate is 40%. He said that government has not given true figures. Some people note that a liter of Kerosene was Rf4.16 in 2003, a liter of kerosene is now available at Rf.10.30 and that this represents a rise of 149%. They also note that cost of fuel has risen to 180% since 2003.

However some analysts claim that the increase in prices was due to high value of the dollar in India and Bangkok. They also say high rental cost of warehouses is contributing factor and as such the high prices are due to a various reasons.

According to Planning Ministry statistics inflation rate when compared to 26 November last year to the same period of the previous year stood at 9.5%. Inflation rate of food stuffs during last November stood at 15%