Inflation squeezes families across Madhya Pradesh:Food, electricity and healthcare costs continue climbing month after month

“Sakhi Saiyan To Khoob Hi Kamat Hai, Mehngai Dayan Khaye Jat Hai…” The popular song lyric has become a reality for many families across Madhya Pradesh and the nation. As the prices of everyday household items surged, impacting the monthly budget of the middle class. How are these increasing prices making an impact on a middle-class family? Dainik Bhaskar spoke to Preeti Kurupa, a housewife and a Bhopal resident, as she finished her household chores, she started scrolling through social media and shared reels about rising prices with her friends. She says the videos reflect what many middle-class families are experiencing today. According to her, salaries do not increase regularly, but the cost of living continues to rise, making it increasingly difficult to manage household budgets. A middle-class family that was managing essential monthly expenses at around ₹9,258 in February-March is now spending nearly ₹12,318 by the end of May to maintain the same lifestyle. This represents an increase of about ₹3,000 in just 90 days — a jump of nearly 33%. Today, in Sunday Big Story, we discuss how much more inflation can loosen your purse strings in three months? Kitchen budgets hit the hardest The biggest impact of inflation is being felt in household kitchens. Families that previously spent around ₹2,500 a month on vegetables are now spending between ₹3,500 and ₹3,800. Prices of pulses, cooking oil and spices have also increased steadily. Milk prices have risen by around ₹2 per litre. A family consuming two litres of milk daily is now spending about ₹120 more each month. Domestic LPG cylinders have also become costlier by up to ₹60. Preeti says that while families cannot cut back on children’s needs, they are reducing spending on eating out and other non-essential purchases. Summer heat pushes up electricity bills The intense summer has added another burden through higher electricity consumption. Increased use of coolers, fans and air conditioners has pushed electricity bills to one-and-a-half or even double their usual levels in many households. Small business owners and service providers say rising electricity and operating costs are forcing them to increase prices as well. Costlier fuel driving up prices across sectors Since May 15, petrol and diesel prices have increased by ₹9-10 per litre. In Madhya Pradesh, petrol prices are now around ₹116 per litre, while diesel is approaching ₹100 per litre. The impact extends beyond vehicle owners. Higher transportation costs increase the prices of vegetables, milk, medicines and other essential goods. Speaking to Dainik Bhaksar, Sumit Thakur, a student studying in Bhopal, says the money he receives from home is no longer enough. He works part-time using his motorcycle, but rising fuel prices have reduced his earnings. Healthcare costs also rising Prices of medicines for conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure have increased, adding to the financial burden on elderly people and patients requiring long-term treatment. Higher fuel costs have also increased expenses related to hospital visits, ambulance services and other healthcare facilities. Experts expect these costs to rise further. Eating out becoming more expensive Dining at hotels and restaurants has become significantly more expensive. Higher commercial LPG prices, rising vegetable costs and increased transportation expenses have pushed up menu prices. Online food delivery platforms have also raised delivery charges and fuel surcharges, increasing overall costs for consumers. Transport ndustry faces mounting pressure According to CL Mukati, an office-bearer of a transport association, prices of diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), engine oil, lubricants, tyres and spare parts used in trucks have risen by 30% to 50%. At the same time, diesel price hikes have further increased operating costs. He says nearly 30% of trucks are not getting sufficient freight loads, putting additional pressure on the industry. To offset rising expenses, transporters are considering increasing freight charges by 10% to 15% from June 1. Economists warn of wider inflation impact Economist Professor Manish Sharma says petrol and diesel prices have a direct impact on household budgets. According to him, a person consuming 30 to 40 litres of petrol each month could see monthly fuel expenses rise by ₹300 to ₹800 if prices increase by ₹7 to ₹10 per litre. However, he says the larger impact comes indirectly. Higher transportation costs eventually make vegetables, milk, groceries, medicines, public transport, hotel services and delivery services more expensive. Inflation could rise further Professor Sharma warns that geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and uncertainties surrounding global oil supplies continue to affect economies worldwide. If crude oil prices continue to rise, inflationary pressures could intensify further in the coming months, increasing the cost of living for households across the country.