Kerala - Alappuzha   

Achuthanandan slams Centre for price rise

ALAPPUZHA: Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan on Saturday blamed the Congress-led Union government’s policies for the recent jump in prices of essential commodities, particularly rice.

Inaugurating the 28th State Conference of the Kerala Government Student Nurses Association (KGSNA) here this evening, Mr. Achuthanandan said the Union government’s “covert” attempts to help imperialist forces and multinational companies had led to the price hike. However, the Kerala unit of the Congress was trying to deceive the public by putting the blame on the State government.

Pointing out that the Centre’s palmolein import policy too had hit Kerala’s farmers below the belt, the Chief Minister said even the High Court, which had first termed his statement on its judgment ‘contempt of court,’ had later supported the State government’s plea to revoke the stay imposed on the ban on import of palmolein into the State. However, the Centre, by encouraging the import and cutting down the import taxes, was still adamant on continuing its “torturous stance” towards Kerala, he said.

Criticising Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Ramesh Chennithala for “ridiculing the State government” instead of coming to the rescue of Kerala’s farmers, Mr. Achuthanandan said Mr. Chennithala, who had “jumped to support the High Court judge’s statement” against Mr. Achuthanandan, was not to be seen anywhere when the High Court changed its stance and revoked the stay on the ban.

Lauding nurses and nursing students for their commitment to the society, he said the government was making efforts to do away with the negative image doctors and nurses had in the public. Already, corrupt practices in hospitals had been minimised and vacant posts were being filled, he added.

KGSNA president Rukma Mohan, Kerala Government Nurses Association general secretary P.K. Thampy, Alappuzha municipal chairman P.P. Chittaranjan and others were present.

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