Jammu, July 13 -- Any society that pays high for its fuel suffers as this erodes incomes, reduces purchasing power and causes a slowdown in the pace of production

The rising prices of food items are adding to the woes of the people even as they struggle to come out of the economic impact the Coronavirus-necessitated lockdown has had on their lives and livelihoods. Now that India has moved into a phased "unlocking" stage, States likeWest Bengal, Assam and Uttar Pradesh are in a quandary whether to allow full opening of their economies or continue as before with select sectors being allowed to open up. This uncertainty is disrupting supply chains and creating artificial shortages in most parts of the country.

It is a double whammy. Recess...