The hike in groundnut oil prices has stirred quite a few movements across the state. Gujarati housewives opine that there could be two responses to the oil price hike — people might shift to healthier oil or they might eat out more often.
"Here in Gujarat, we need more amount of oil for cooking, be it fried or otherwise. So any hike in oil price is bound to affect our household budget. We have to now bring in cuts in order to balance our budget for other household products," says Fidelis Roma Ignas, HC lawyer.
Ignas adds, "Shifting to kapasiya (cotton seed) oil is not a healthy option which is why we have to resort to eating outside more often. This will lead to ill- health."
The increased prices will affect the middle and lower income groups of the society the most, so believes Darshana Vaghela, deputy mayor of Ahmedabad city. She said, "What will people do if the prices of basic amenities go up like this. It will surely take a huge toll on their health as people will adopt unhealthy practices of cooking or will look for cheap cooking oil".
However, Ami Yagnik, another HC lawyer, says this might push Amdavadis to a healthier way of living life. "People shifting to olive oil for cooking or curbing their urge to eat farsan probably will have a positive effect on their health. In fact, I have heard that people may no more offer oil to deities owing to price rise," said Yagnik.
For Murlidhar Agrawal, president of Ahmedabad Mithai and Farsan Association, soaring prices have already hampered the business. Explaining this, he said, "People will not be able to handle this price rise. We are already facing problems, with customers reducing purchase of farsan and other products. By using other forms of oil, the quality and standard of our end-products fall considerably and there are chances of mixing across farsan stores in Gujarat."
"Oil is the primary ingredient for any Indian cuisine and thus rise in its price will affect the entire house's budget. Eating correct and living correct is every man's way of life, but with soaring prices, where will the common man go?" asks Rajeeka Kacheeria, BJP IT Cell.
