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CPI (M) leaders protest against price rise

BHUBANESWAR: Leaders of the Communist Party of India (Marxists) here on Wednesday courted arrest protesting against the government’s failure to rein in steep rise in prices of essential commodities.

Holding placards, hundreds of CPI (M) workers took out a rally from Bhubaneswar Railway Station and organised a public meeting.

“Both Central government, led by United Progressive Alliance, and State government under the coalition rule of Biju Janata Dal and Bharatiya Janata Party were responsible for the present crisis,” CPI (M) State secretary Janardan Pati said addressing the agitators. Mr. Pati said the future trading agreements, ‘mess’ in public distribution system, failure of Food Corporation of India to collect foodgrains from people, price rise of petroleum products and hoarding by black marketers were the main reasons behind steep rise in prices of essential commodities.

“Government should immediately strike off 25 agricultural products from the list of future trading and as many as 15 products, including kerosene, edible oil and sugar should be distributed through PDS. Moreover, duties on petroleum products should be decreased in order to arrest the price rise. We also demand exemplary action against hoarders,” the CPI (M) leader said. Senior leaders like Shivaji Patnaik, Santosh Das, Jagannath Mishra, Ali Kishore Patnaik and Subash Singh led the movement of civil disobedience on the issue and courted arrest.

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