The Hindu : New Delhi News : Sugar, kerosene sold in black market: BJP

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jan 09, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

Sugar, kerosene sold in black market: BJP

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, JAN 8. The Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party president, Harsh Vardhan, today accused the United Progressive Alliance Government at the Centre of being responsible for the sharp price rise of sugar, kerosene and foodgrains. "It is due to the faulty policies of the Central Government that such a situation has arisen," he added.

In a statement here, Dr. Harsh Vardhan demanded that immediate arrangements be put in place by the Government to ensure supply of these essential commodities at the fair price shops.

Arguing that "whenever a Congress Government came to power at the Centre, black marketing starts leading to price rise" he said: "Earlier there was a shortage of LPG cylinders in the open market and now it is sugar and food grains.

It is nothing but absolute connivance of the Congress with those who are hoarding these commodities for profit making. It is amazing that when such malpractices were brought to the notice of the Sheila Dikshit Government by a leading NGO, its activists were faced with violent attacks patronised by the officials of the Food and Civil Supplies Department."

Dr. Harsh Vardhan said kerosene was being sold in the black market at a price of Rs. 25 to Rs. 30 per litre against the market price of Rs. 9.30.

Charging the Delhi Government with turning a blind eye to the blatant black marketing taking place at the Capital's fair price shops, he alleged that the same was being aided and abetted by the cronies of some higher-ups in the Government.

It is shocking that sugar was being sold at Rs. 23 per kg in the open market when the same should have been made available to the people at Rs. 15 to Rs. 16 per kg.

He warned that if this activity is not stopped, this illegal practise might extend to other commodities and hit the common man badly.

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