As sugar prices rise, Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar's NCP today offered a recipe, consume less of the sweetener as "no one dies due to not eating sugar".
"No one dies due to not eating sugar. On the other hand, by eating items made from sugar, diabetes increases. So, it is not necessary that everyone consume sugar," the NCP mouthpiece
'Rashtravadi' said coming with an apparent solution to rein in
sugar prices in an editorial in its latest issue.
"Doctors say eating excess sugar and salt is akin to poison," said the magazine whose managing editor is NCP state unit president Madhukar Pichad. The magazine is edited by Dr Sudhir Bhongale, a former journalist.
The NCP, whose supremo Pawar has come for allround attack over price rise, quickly distancesd itself from the remark
which would stir a potential controversy.
"The remark is his(Pichad) personal view. The NCP has nothing to do with it," state NCP spokesman Gurunath Kulkarni said.
BJP questioned the kind of remark articulated by the NCP.
"BJP would want to know an anwser from the government, especially Sharad Pawar and his party. What do they mean by making such remarks on the people who are already suffering under high prices," senior BJP leader Rajiv Pratap Rudy said in New Delhi.
The article also said the total expenditure on sugar and food items is comparatively less, around 10% to 12%
"The expenditure is on cosmetics, vehicles, fuel, entertainment, hobbies and luxury items but no one says a word on rising prices of these items," it added.
"Why is sugar considered an essential commodity," the editorial asked.
"Our total expenditure on sugar and food items is comparatively less, around 10 to 12 per cent. The expenditure is on cosmetics, vehicles, fuel, entertainment, hobbies and luxury items but no one says a word on rising prices of these items," the editorial said.
"If we consider a rise of Rs 10 to 15 per kg in sugar prices, the average monthly spending on sugar for a four-member family goes up by Rs 60 to 90. The increased salaries after Sixth Pay Commission are comparatively manifold. Even minimum wages to EGS workers have increased. So, the fact is that rise in sugar prices does not affect a family's budget much," the article said.
"Those with diabetes don't eat sugar but they still live," the editorial said, asking people to "keep in mind the situation and adjust their habits accordingly."
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