Jairam Ramesh slams Modi’s ‘all‑out assault’ on Indian kitchen budgets amid soaring food prices

On Saturday, Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member Jairam Ramesh took to X to vent his frustration over what he called an “all‑out assault” on the average Indian household’s kitchen. He said the cost of basics – from wheat flour and pulses to cooking oil – has spiked so dramatically that family budgets are practically collapsing.

Ramesh didn’t mince words. “The Modi government’s anti‑people policies have thrown kitchen budgets into disarray,” he wrote, adding that while a handful of crony capitalists seem to be thriving, millions of families are feeling the pinch every time they shop for groceries.

According to the veteran politician, the Centre is more interested in “concealing the truth” than actually curbing inflation. He accused the government of resorting to “statistical jugglery” to claim it has the inflation battle under control, even as the price of a simple meal keeps creeping up for ordinary citizens.

He also hinted that the upcoming state assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur and Goa could become a litmus test for Modi’s handling of the cost‑of‑living crisis. “The public knows everything. When the elections arrive, voters will remind the government of the real price of essentials,” Ramesh warned.

While the political drama unfolds, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) rolled out a new Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) framework on September 15. Under the revised rules, UPI transactions above ₹2,000 will attract a 0.4 % MDR, capped at ₹300 per transaction, but consumers will still enjoy fee‑free payments. The change is slated to kick in on October 15, 2026.

Ramesh’s remarks come at a time when price‑sensitive voters are watching both policy moves and everyday expenses closely, waiting to see whether the government will truly address inflation or simply keep rearranging the numbers.