T�PURAM: Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan Tuesday asked the Centre to correct its economic policy and strengthen public distribution system in the country to check price rise of commodities.
Achuthanandans statement came during a debate on an adjournment motion on price rise moved by the Congress-led UDF in the state assembly during which the ruling CPI-M led LDF and Opposition traded charges at each other for skyrocketing prices.
During the four-hour debate, LDF members alleged that the wrong economic policies of Congress-led UPA government at the Centre were responsible for the spurt in prices.
The opposition staged a walkout at the fag end of the debate not satisfied with the government reply on a reference in the Accountant General report relating to state governments management of rice provided by the Centre under the noon-meal scheme.
In his reply, Finance Minister T M Thomas Issac said total mismanagement of foodgrain procurement process and import-export policy on wheat and sugar led to the present food crisis in the country.
The recent price hike of petrol and diesel has worsened the situation, Issac said. However, he rejected Opposition demand to forego the increased revenue the state would get due to rise in petrol and diesel prices, saying it was not practical.
Opposition leader Oommen Chandy said though he agreed that recent price hike of petroleum products could have been avoided, the state government could not wash its hands off by blaming the Centre for price rise.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
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