Summary:
Pune, Sep 22 (PTI) Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday said the government was making efforts to keep inflation under 4 per cent and steps were being taken to ensure people get essential goods at fair price and on time.
Addressing a press conference near Pune city on the sidelines of a programme, she said steps were being taken to keep inflation at a certain level.
Replying to a question on rising prices, the minister said, "As far as inflation is concerned, I have been answering questions (on the issue) in Parliament every time they have been raised.
Steps were being taken to keep inflation at one level, for example, duty on imported edible oil is being removed so that affordable oil comes into the country." She said the issue of inflation should be understood in global context.
"America is experiencing the kind of high inflation which was not witnessed in the last 40 years.
Germany is facing high inflation which was not experienced in the last 38 years.
We are taking efforts to keep inflation under 4 per cent and efforts were being taken to ensure that people get all goods at fair price and on time," Sitharaman added.
Asked about the rupee hitting a record low against the US dollar, Sitharaman said the government looks at every aspect of the economy.
"Be it inflation, exchange rate...we are looking at everything," the minister said.
Earlier, speaking at the programme, Sitharaman said Mudra loans are given to eligible people without any security.
"While launching the Mudra loan scheme (in 2015), Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked banks to offer loans without any security...he asked banks to treat his word as security," she said.
Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY) was launched for providing loans up to 10 lakh to non-corporate, non-farm small/micro enterprises.
"Mudra loan is for whom? I would like to ask the Congress, whether this loan is for Ambani and Adani.
Mudra Loan is given to small businesses.
The Congress, which constantly levels allegations taking names of Ambani and Adani, had given thousands of acres of land in Rajasthan to Adanis for business.