ANANTAPUR: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) staged a dharna in front of the MRO's office here on Monday in protest against the alleged failure of the Government in controlling the spiralling prices of essential commodities.

Party leaders also registered their protest in a novel way by preparing gruel on the road and having it in the protest camp along with the party activists. They had the gruel in earthen plates to explain that the exorbitant prices would enable the people survive only this way.

District secretary of the party G. Obulakonda Reddy, party corporators P. Prasoona and K. Susheela, party leaders V. Rambhupal, Kotamraju, A. Manohar, T.N. Rasool and others participated.

The party activists also protested by seeking alms by sitting in front of a traditional `chullah' arranged with empty cylinders indicating that the poor were unable to get the gas cylinders due to black marketing and kerosene due to seizure of kerosene coupons for having gas connection.

Speaking at the protest, Mr. Obulakonda Reddy said the Central and State Governments would have to face the ire of people at an appropriate time if they failed to control the soaring prices. Both the farmers and consumers were suffering due to future and forward trading of commodities, he alleged.

Another reason for rise in prices was the entry of multinational companies and corporate houses into the retail trading, he explained. Demanding revival of price control commission to regulate the prices of petrol and diesel, he urged the Government to reduce the prices of fuel oils by Rs. 4 and Rs. 2 per litre respectively, as another measure to check the increasing prices.

Social problems like poor families sending children to work after making them drop out from schools were owing to high price rise, Mr. Rambhupal said.

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