At a time when NCP chief Sharad Pawar has come under attack over rise in prices of sugar and other essential commodities, the party magazine 'Rashtravadi' has said that "no one dies due to not eating sugar" and it is not necessary that everyone consumes it.
"Doctors say eating excess sugar and salt is akin to poison," the magazine, whose managing editor is NCP state unit president Madhukar Pichad, says in an editorial in its latest issue.
"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 consumes sugar," the editorial said.
The magazine is edited by Dr Sudhir Bhongale, a former journalist.
The write-up 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 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."
"If we consider a rise of Rs10 to 15 per kg in sugar prices, the average monthly spending on sugar for a four-member family goes up by Rs60 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.
It wondered why sugar is considered an essential commodity.
Food and agriculture minister Pawar has been under attack from the opposition, allies and a section of Congress over the rise in prices of food items. Sugar has already touched Rs42-43 a kg from about Rs22 a kg a year ago and Pawar has recently received flak for publicly predicting rise in the prices of milk and sugar.
At a day-long conference of chief ministers on price rise in New Delhi yesterday, Pawar had conceded that sugar has turned "bitter" due to increase in its prices and sought suggestions from the chief ministers on "implementable measures" to stabilise the rates.
Civil aviation minister and senior NCP leader Praful Patel yesterday said it is not Pawar alone, but the entire UPA cabinet is responsible for rise in prices of essential commodities.
