Back-breaking inflation, utility bills grind common man down in 2023

The year 2023 ended with no major relief for consumers in essential commodities as the government failed to show any serious efforts to control rising prices at various levels. The unbearable burden of electricity and gas bills has decimated the purchasing power of people who were already reeling with skyrocketing inflation. In the entire year, consumers witnessed only one significant reduction in the loose milk prices which was a result of some seriousness displayed by the city government in dealing with milk sector stakeholders. In case of other commodities, the writ of the price regulator remained confined to issuing daily and fortnightly price lists rather than implementing the official prices strictly. Most of the retailers do not display the price lists and even if the lists are displayed on the shops, consumers do not get the items at official rates.