The Hindu : National : BJP seeks white paper on inflation

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BJP seeks white paper on inflation

Neena Vyas

NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday dismissed claims by Finance Minister P. Chidambaram and others speaking on behalf of the establishment that inflation would be controlled within six to eight weeks.

With the latest statistics on inflation giving no respite to the people – it was 7.61 per cent for the week ending April 26 – BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy demanded that the government bring out a white paper on the issue. He also sought a meeting of Chief Ministers to discuss steps to control inflation.

‘Claims are deceptive’

“The government’s claims are deceptive and they only serve to confuse the people about the alarming situation that is making food dearer each day and affecting the poorest and vulnerable sections of society the most,” Mr. Rudy said adding that the steps taken so far were “wrong.”

Taking exception to Mr. Chidambaram’s reported remark that statistically the current inflation was “insignificant,” Mr. Rudy said this showed the Minister’s “insensitivity” to the plight of the poorest.

The United Progressive Alliance government’s blame-game – blaming everyone and everything except its own policies – would cost the Treasury benches heavily in the Karnataka Assembly elections, he said.

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