News Analysis India

Tag: Central Vista

  • PM Modi to inaugurate new Parliament building on May 28

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the newly-constructed Parliament building on May 28.

    Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla met Modi on Thursday and extended an invitation to inaugurate the new building, the Lok Sabha Secretariat said.

    The new Parliament building can comfortably seat 888 members in the Lok Sabha chamber and 300 in the Rajya Sabha chamber, it said.

    In the case of a joint sitting of both Houses, a total of 1,280 members can be accommodated in the Lok Sabha chamber.

    The prime minister had laid the foundation stone of the new parliament building on December 10, 2020. The new building has been built in record time with quality construction, the Lok Sabha Secretariat said.

    The present Parliament building was completed in 1927 and is now 96 years old. Over the years, the old building was found to be inadequate for present-day requirements.

    Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha had passed resolutions urging the government to construct a new building for Parliament.

    The new building, constructed by Tata Projects Ltd, will have a grand constitution hall to showcase India’s democratic heritage, a lounge for MPs, a library, multiple committee rooms, dining areas and ample parking space.

    The triangular-shaped four-storey building has a built-up area of 64,500 square metres. The building has three main gates — Gyan Dwar, Shakti Dwar, and Karma Dwar. It will have separate entrances for VIPs, MPs, and visitors.

    The Congress took a swipe at the prime minister over the new Parliament building, calling it a “personal vanity project.”

    Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh posted on Twitter a picture of Modi while inspecting the construction of the building and said, “The sole architect, designer and worker for the new Parliament building, which he will inaugurate on May 28th.”

    “The picture tells it all – personal vanity project,” Ramesh tweeted along with the picture.

    The existing building served as independent India’s first Parliament and witnessed the adoption of the Constitution.

    Originally called the Council House, the building housed the Imperial Legislative Council.

    The Parliament building witnessed the addition of two floors in 1956 to address the demand for more space.

    In 2006, the Parliament Museum was added to showcase the 2,500 years of rich democratic heritage of India.

    Officials said the present building was never designed to accommodate a bicameral legislature and the seating arrangements were cramped and cumbersome, with no desks beyond the second row.

    The Central Hall has a seating capacity only for 440 people and the need for more space was acutely felt during joint sittings of both the houses.

    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the newly-constructed Parliament building on May 28.

    Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla met Modi on Thursday and extended an invitation to inaugurate the new building, the Lok Sabha Secretariat said.

    The new Parliament building can comfortably seat 888 members in the Lok Sabha chamber and 300 in the Rajya Sabha chamber, it said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    In the case of a joint sitting of both Houses, a total of 1,280 members can be accommodated in the Lok Sabha chamber.

    The prime minister had laid the foundation stone of the new parliament building on December 10, 2020. The new building has been built in record time with quality construction, the Lok Sabha Secretariat said.

    The present Parliament building was completed in 1927 and is now 96 years old. Over the years, the old building was found to be inadequate for present-day requirements.

    Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha had passed resolutions urging the government to construct a new building for Parliament.

    The new building, constructed by Tata Projects Ltd, will have a grand constitution hall to showcase India’s democratic heritage, a lounge for MPs, a library, multiple committee rooms, dining areas and ample parking space.

    The triangular-shaped four-storey building has a built-up area of 64,500 square metres. The building has three main gates — Gyan Dwar, Shakti Dwar, and Karma Dwar. It will have separate entrances for VIPs, MPs, and visitors.

    The Congress took a swipe at the prime minister over the new Parliament building, calling it a “personal vanity project.”

    Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh posted on Twitter a picture of Modi while inspecting the construction of the building and said, “The sole architect, designer and worker for the new Parliament building, which he will inaugurate on May 28th.”

    “The picture tells it all – personal vanity project,” Ramesh tweeted along with the picture.

    The existing building served as independent India’s first Parliament and witnessed the adoption of the Constitution.

    Originally called the Council House, the building housed the Imperial Legislative Council.

    The Parliament building witnessed the addition of two floors in 1956 to address the demand for more space.

    In 2006, the Parliament Museum was added to showcase the 2,500 years of rich democratic heritage of India.

    Officials said the present building was never designed to accommodate a bicameral legislature and the seating arrangements were cramped and cumbersome, with no desks beyond the second row.

    The Central Hall has a seating capacity only for 440 people and the need for more space was acutely felt during joint sittings of both the houses.

  • PM Modi unveils 28-ft-tall Netaji statue at India Gate 

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday unveiled a 28-ft-tall statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at India Gate.

    The statue is part of the Centre’s Rs 13,450-crore Central Vista project, which will have a new Parliament building, new office and residences for the prime minister and vice-president and new ministry buildings.

    The North and South Blocks, the secretariat buildings flanking Rashtrapati Bhavan, will be converted into museums.

    The black granite statue has been carved from a monolithic block of granite weighing 280 metric tonne.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays tribute after inaugurating 28-ft statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in New Delhi. (Photo | PTI)

    The block of granite picked for the statue was transported to Delhi from Telangana and the statue was carved out of it in over two months.

    Modi also interacted with some workers involved in the redevelopment work of the Central Vista avenue and told them they will be invited for the Republic Day parade, officials said.

    ALSO READ | Netaji daughter to miss unveiling of father’s statue, wants Govt to consider bringing Bose’s remains back 

    The prime minister also walked along the gallery in the India Gate premises showcasing the evolution of Central Vista Avenue over the past nine decades.

    Union ministers Hardeep Singh Puri, G Kishan Reddy, Arjun Ram Meghwal, Meenakshi Lekhi and Kaushal Kishore were present at the event among others.

    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday unveiled a 28-ft-tall statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at India Gate.

    The statue is part of the Centre’s Rs 13,450-crore Central Vista project, which will have a new Parliament building, new office and residences for the prime minister and vice-president and new ministry buildings.

    The North and South Blocks, the secretariat buildings flanking Rashtrapati Bhavan, will be converted into museums.

    The black granite statue has been carved from a monolithic block of granite weighing 280 metric tonne.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays tribute after inaugurating 28-ft statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in New Delhi. (Photo | PTI)

    The block of granite picked for the statue was transported to Delhi from Telangana and the statue was carved out of it in over two months.

    Modi also interacted with some workers involved in the redevelopment work of the Central Vista avenue and told them they will be invited for the Republic Day parade, officials said.

    ALSO READ | Netaji daughter to miss unveiling of father’s statue, wants Govt to consider bringing Bose’s remains back 

    The prime minister also walked along the gallery in the India Gate premises showcasing the evolution of Central Vista Avenue over the past nine decades.

    Union ministers Hardeep Singh Puri, G Kishan Reddy, Arjun Ram Meghwal, Meenakshi Lekhi and Kaushal Kishore were present at the event among others.

  • Rajpath development complete; 3-km avenue ready for opening

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The wait for the opening of refurbished Central Vista known as Rajpath is finally over. According to the officials, redevelopment work along the nearly three-km-long avenue is complete and it will be inaugurated anytime soon. 

    However, the Central government is yet to finalise the date for its inaugural ceremony, said, officials.In July, during an interaction with media persons, Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said that redevelopment of the stretch starting from Vijay Chowk to India Gate would be completed in about two weeks however the deadline was extended as final touches were being given to underpasses, planned for safe and unhindered movement of walkers.

    The Central Vista redevelopment plan includes the construction of a new triangular parliament building, vice president enclave, and common central secretariat buildings 1, 2 & 3. Rajpath is out of bounds for people since it was closed in February. The project was supposed to be completed by December 2021.

    Crushed brick walkways along both sides of the boulevard have been replaced with sandstone pavements. Besides, an amphitheatre and 16 food stalls, and low-level bridges over refurbished water channels have been developed. Sprawling lawns spreading over nearly 100 acres now have improved public amenities.

    The officials further informed that four underpasses have been created to facilitate pedestrians and space to accommodate approximately 1,000 cars is being made available. The construction work of the new parliament house has already been expedited to meet the deadline so that the upcoming winter session can be held in the building.

    NEW DELHI: The wait for the opening of refurbished Central Vista known as Rajpath is finally over. According to the officials, redevelopment work along the nearly three-km-long avenue is complete and it will be inaugurated anytime soon. 

    However, the Central government is yet to finalise the date for its inaugural ceremony, said, officials.
    In July, during an interaction with media persons, Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said that redevelopment of the stretch starting from Vijay Chowk to India Gate would be completed in about two weeks however the deadline was extended as final touches were being given to underpasses, planned for safe and unhindered movement of walkers.

    The Central Vista redevelopment plan includes the construction of a new triangular parliament building, vice president enclave, and common central secretariat buildings 1, 2 & 3. Rajpath is out of bounds for people since it was closed in February. The project was supposed to be completed by December 2021.

    Crushed brick walkways along both sides of the boulevard have been replaced with sandstone pavements. Besides, an amphitheatre and 16 food stalls, and low-level bridges over refurbished water channels have been developed. Sprawling lawns spreading over nearly 100 acres now have improved public amenities.

    The officials further informed that four underpasses have been created to facilitate pedestrians and space to accommodate approximately 1,000 cars is being made available. The construction work of the new parliament house has already been expedited to meet the deadline so that the upcoming winter session can be held in the building.

  • Central Vista: Ahluwalia Contracts lowest bidder to build Executive Enclave housing new PMO

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Ahluwalia Contracts India Limited on Tuesday emerged as the lowest bidder for the construction of Executive Enclave as part of the Central Vista project that will house the prime minister’s office (PMO), cabinet secretariat, India House and the National Security Council Secretariat, official document showed.

    The company, headquartered in Delhi, quoted an amount of around Rs 1,119 crore, 3.50 per cent less than the Rs 1,160-crore cost estimated by the CPWD, which has been executing the Modi government’s ambitious Central Vista Redevelopment project.

    Tata Projects Limited, which is constructing a new Parliament building, quoted Rs 1,154 crore.

    NCC Limited quoted a bid amount of around Rs 1,158 crore and Larsen & Toubro Limited around Rs 1,317 crore, the document showed.

    An official said the lowest bidder is usually awarded the contract and added the Board of Central Public Works Department (CPWD) will decide on awarding the tender in the next few days.

    The CPWD had estimated the cost of construction and maintenance of the Executive Enclave at Rs 1,160.17 crore.

    The Executive Enclave will come up on the south side of the South Block in plot number 36/38 in the high-security Lutyens’ Delhi.

    The bid document states the new PMO will have three floors each 4.

    75 metres high, in addition to the basement and ground floor.

    The new cabinet secretariat and the National Security Council Secretariat will have a similar structure.

    India House, which will have one floor in addition to basement and ground floor, is likely to be used as a conference facility like the Hyderabad House where high-level talks, especially with top visiting leaders of various countries, are held now.

    According to the CPWD’s bid document, the project will be completed within 24 months of initiation of the construction work.

    “The (Executive) Enclave will be designed to improve potency and functioning through carefully planned formation of different departments with supporting facilities.

    This will ensure prime security and excellent interconnectivity within the Enclave and with other offices in Central Vista.

    “Relocating these departments will also ensure efficient security protocols for VIPs and VVIPs without disturbing daily movement of the public in and around the Central Vista,” the CPWD document states.

    In October last year, Larsen & Toubro Limited had been awarded the contract for the construction and maintenance of the first three buildings of the Common Central Secretariat.

    Shapoorji Pallonji and Company Limited is executing the redevelopment work of the Central Vista Avenue stretching from Vijay Chowk to the India Gate.

    The redevelopment of the Central Vista, the nation’ power corridor, envisages a new parliament building, a common central secretariat, revamping of the 3-km Rajpath from the Rashtrapati Bhavan to the India Gate, new office and residence of the prime minister, and a new vice-president enclave.

  • Museum plan for North, South Blocks under Central Vista project, SC told

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI:  The North and South Blocks, which cover nearly 27 acres housing important ministries government offices, are proposed to be converted into national museums under the Central Vista redevelopment project, the Centre has informed the Supreme Court.

    The Centre’s affidavit stated that all the ministries will be relocated in the Common Central Secretariat buildings being developed on two sides of Rajpath.

    The submissions were made in response to a petition challenging a notification for change in land use of Plot 1.

    Arguing that the notification allowed the conversion of recreational plot into residential one, the petitioner sought judicial scrutiny contending that Plot 1 takes over open spaces of a children’s recreational park and a bus terminal.

    Refuting these arguments as misconceived and praying for dismissal of the petition with costs, the Centre said the plot in question has never been opened to the public and is being used as offices of the Ministry of Defence for almost 90 years now.

    “The respondents are cognizant of the public nature of the projects and specifically seek to add various public facilities to the larger vision plan and has suo moto created a lot of space for recreational purposes. It is submitted that there are both qualitative and quantitative increase in public spaces in larger vision,” the affidavit stated.

    “For example, North and South Blocks which cover nearly 27 acres and are proposed to be converted into National Museums showcasing ‘India in Making’ prehistoric to present date. The museums will be open to the public at large and serve important public purposes,” it stated.

    In addition, nearly 118 hectares of land — near Akshardham Temple on eastern bank of the Yamuna and near IP Thermal Power Station on western bank — is being developed as AMRUT Biodiversity Park “to commemorate 75 years of India’s Independence fulfilling the recreational purpose aspirations of public at large,” the affidavit stated.

    A bench headed by Justice  A M Khanwilkar adjourned the hearing to November 16 after being informed that a reply has been filed online. 

  • Central Vista: SC asks Centre to file affidavit on issue related to change in land use

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court Monday asked the Centre to file an affidavit on the issue of proposed change in land use of a plot where the new official residences of the Vice-President and the Prime Minister are stipulated as part of the ambitious Central Vista project in Lutyens’ Delhi.

    The Central Vista revamp, announced in September 2019 envisages a new triangular Parliament building, with a seating capacity for 900 to 1,200 MPs, that is to be constructed by August, 2022 when the country will celebrate its 75th Independence Day.

    The common Central Secretariat is likely to be built by 2024 under the project that covers a 3-km stretch from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate in the national capital.

    The apex court was hearing a petition challenging the change in land use of plot number one from recreational area to residential.

    The matter came up for hearing before a bench of Justices A M Khanwilkar and C T Ravikumar which asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who was representing the Centre, to file a short affidavit on the issue.

    The counsel appearing for the petitioner said the authorities have not demonstrated any public interest as far as the change in land use from recreational to residential for the plot is concerned.

    Mehta told the bench that official residences for the Vice-President and the Prime Minister are stipulated on the plot.

    “So, the public recreation area is not available now,” the bench asked Mehta, adding, “Is the public recreational area going to be transposed to some other place or transferred to some other plot”.

    Mehta said the recreational area could be shifted but he also cited security concerns considering that Parliament would come up there.

    “What is your stand, we would like to know about it,” the bench said.

    “I will have to take instructions,” Mehta said, adding, “Considering that Parliament and other things would be coming up nearby, from a security point of view it would not be possible to have a recreational area in the vicinity”.

    The bench asked whether he would like to file a short affidavit on the limited point raised in the matter.

    Mehta said he would file an affidavit within three days.

    “The respondents (Centre and others) may file short affidavit to deal with this contention within three days from today, including to justify the necessity of modification,” the bench said and posted the matter for hearing on October 29.

    In January this year, the apex court, by 2:1 majority, had held that the grant of environmental clearance and the notification for change in land use for construction of new Parliament building under the project was valid.

    The top court’s verdict had come on several pleas, including those against various permissions given to the project by authorities including the grant of environmental clearance and the nod to change of land use.

    The top court had in June this year dismissed a separate plea challenging the Delhi High Court order which had rejected a petition seeking to halt Central Vista construction work in view of the COVID pandemic.

  • New parliament building will be a great work of skill, speed, scale: Government official

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: With thousands of labourers deployed at raising the new parliament building, a top government official said on Tuesday the complex will be a “monumental work in skill, speed and scale” and will be an ode to “Aatmanirbhar India” as its every component, from architecture to construction material, has been sourced indigenously.

    Briefing reporters, Housing and Urban Affairs Secretary Durga Shanker Mishra said the new parliament building will meet its deadline of October 2022 and claimed that it will be a work of “marvel” as there will be few precedence of such a gigantic exercise being completed in such a short span of time.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi had laid the foundation stone of the project in December 2020.

    With critics wondering if the new building will match up to old one in its grandeur, Mishra said it will look like “twin sister” of the current one with its mosaic of red and yellow stones while being much ahead in terms of its occupancy, use of modern technologies and amenities.

    Noting that the current parliament building was meant to be a “meeting hall” and retrofitted later and had two floors added, which resulted in lack of sunlight and cramped spaces, he said the new building will be inviting and look like a “people’s parliament”.

    It will be truly a people’s parliament and an ode to Modi’s call for “Aatmanirbhar Bharat”, he said, adding that the new legislature will be realisation of the prime minister’s vision as he has been keenly involved in the entire exercise from the beginning.

    Highlighting the hectic pace of work, Mishra said over 4,800 workers are deployed at the site and 1,200 at different places, adding that so far six lakh man days have been created.

    He said work has been going on in over 20 places across the country, ranging from those related to furniture, stones and electricals to technological features, regarding the new building.

    Over 1.65 lakh cubic metre of soil was removed in 45 days, he said highlighting the scale of the work.

    “It was disposed in a clinical manner that few would have noticed,” he added.

    So far, Mishra said, 1,13,625 cubic metre of concrete will be used at work and 72,000 cubic metre of it has been done so far.

    With extensive use of corrosion-free steel and other modern construction features, the building’s planned life currently is 200 years, he said.

    He said new parliament building will meet construction requirement in seismic zone-5, which covers the regions most vulnerable to earthquakes even though the national capital falls in the zone-4, and will qualify for the top green rating of five-star platinum.

    He also allayed apprehensions about the loss of trees due to the construction of the new building, saying no trees were cut but 404 of them were transplanted and 80 per cent of them have survived.

    In their place, 4,400 saplings have been planted, he told reporters.

    Mishra claimed the new buildings will have state-of-the-art technological features, making it secure against any security threats, including those emanating from cyberware.

    “The new parliament building will be a monumental work of skill, speed and scale,” he said.

    With work going on round the clock, the new building will meet its October 2022 deadline, he asserted.

    The winter session next year will be held in the new building, he added.

  • PM Modi visits new parliament building construction site, speaks to workers

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday visited the construction site of the new parliament building, which is expected to be completed in the second half of the next year.

    Modi spoke to people involved in the construction as he inspected the ongoing work, official sources said.

    The building is part of the Central Vista project, which has faced criticism from the opposition.

    Government officials have said that Parliament’s winter session in 2022 will be held in the new building.

    The new parliament building will have an area of 64,500 square metres.

    It will also have a grand Constitution Hall to showcase India’s democratic heritage, a lounge for members of Parliament, a library, multiple committee rooms, dining areas and ample parking space.

    In the new building, the Lok Sabha chamber will have a seating capacity for 888 members, while the Rajya Sabha will have 384 seats for members.

  • Centre says ‘only 22 heritage trees relocated’ in Central Vista Avenue redevelopment project

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Only 22 heritage trees had to be relocated because of the Central Vista Avenue redevelopment project, the government informed Parliament on Friday.

    The redevelopment project of the Central Vista — the power corridor of the country — includes the revamping of the three-km-long Rajpath from the Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate.

    It also envisages a new triangular Parliament building, a Common Central Secretariat and new residences for the prime minister and the vice president.

    Responding to a question in Lok Sabha on the relocation of trees to the Badarpur Eco-Park, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said according to information received from the Central Public Works Department, “only 22 number of trees have been relocated from the Central Vista Avenue to the eco-park, Badarpur, and there is no other proposal to relocate trees from the Central Vista Avenue to Badarpur”.

    ALSO READ | Central Vista project: Republic Day parade next year to be held on refurbished Rajpath

    He said there is a proposal to plant 10 saplings for every tree uprooted or removed, and the compensatory plantation will be done at the Badarpur Eco-Park, Badarpur.

    On another query on census of trees, Yadav said, “As per available information, no tree census has been conducted in the recent past.”

    “However, the Forest Survey of India (FSI) carries out sample plot based regular inventory of trees in forests and outside forests in the country under its National Forest Inventory Programme,” he said.

    On the basis of data collected growing stock — stems and volume of wood — estimates are generated at the national and state levels, he told Lok Sabha in a written response.

    To a question about the survival rates of relocated trees and details of existing and ongoing research that supports relocation, Yadav said the Indian Council for Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Dehradun, had conducted a study on tree translocation in India last year and it has submitted a report to the ministry.

    “There is no further ongoing study under the ICFRE at present in this regard,” he said.

    ALSO READ | PM Modi should have diverted Central Vista money for Covid vaccines: Congress MP

    The Centre had earlier rubbished reports that several jamun trees, nearly 100 years old, could be uprooted as a part of the Central Vista project, and had claimed that the overall green cover will increase.

    In May, the Union housing and urban affairs ministry had said that only a few trees will be transplanted as part of the project.

    The environment ministry has already granted clearance for expansion and renovation of the existing Parliament building, which is a part of the Rs 13,450 crore Central Vista redevelopment project.

    The construction of the prime minister’s residence under the ambitious project will be completed by December 2022, the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) had informed a central government appointed expert panel, which has given its nod to the project.

    The CPWD, the project developer, informed the expert appraisal committee (EAC) that the expansion of Parliament building and construction of new Parliament building will be done by November 2022 and prime minister’s residence will be constructed by December 2022.

  • PM Modi should have diverted Central Vista money for Covid vaccines: Congress MP

    By PTI
    GUWAHATI: Rajya Sabha MP Shaktisinh Gohil on Sunday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for “failing” to divert government money to fight COVID-19, and instead, spending on the ambitious Central Vista project, which “could have been stalled” for now.

    He also took a jibe at the BJP-led government at the Centre over skyrocketing prices of petrol, diesel and essential commodities.

    “Every country is trying to help its citizens during this COVID-19 crisis.

    A country like the US is even giving away cash to its people.

    But our ‘sultan’ is not helping people, but spending crores of rupees on the central vista project,” the All India Congress Committee (AICC) spokesperson said.

    “Shouldn’t the money being spent on the project be used for buying vaccines for the time being?” he said.

    The redevelopment project of the Central Vista – the power corridor of the country – envisages a new triangular Parliament building, a Common Central Secretariat, revamping of the 3-km-long Rajpath from the Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate, and new residences for the prime minister and the vice- president.

    Gohil was addressing a press conference here as part of the Opposition Congress’ nationwide series of agitational programmes against the rise in fuel prices and essential commodities.

    Demonstrations, cycle rallies and signature campaigns are also being undertaken in the state by the party.

    Gohil claimed that all other countries have reduced prices of petrol and diesel as international crude oil rates have fallen.

    “Sadly, the only country where the government did not pass on the benefits to the people is my country India,” he said.

    He said between January 1 and July 10, fuel prices have been hiked 71 times, and the Modi government has earned over Rs 25 lakh crore through excise duty in the last seven years of its tenure.

    “International crude oil prices had been over USD 100 for the last three years of the Congress-led UPA government from 2011-12 to 2013-14, but it had ensured that the common man was not burdened,” Gohil asserted.

    He also criticised the Centre for high tax on fertilisers and accused the union government of being “anti- farmer”.

    “The increase in the prices of diesel, fertilisers, seeds, pesticides, electricity, and agriculture equipment effected by the government has increased the cost of cultivation for farmers by about Rs 20,000 per hectare,” the Congress leader said.

    Quoting a Kotak Institutional Securities Research, Gohil claimed that in comparison to March, the prices of common household items have increased up to 42 per cent in June.