The Hindu : National : Chidambaram’s argument has no basis, says Swamy

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jun 03, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

National

National

Chidambaram’s argument has no basis, says Swamy

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: “Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram is clueless on containing inflation,” said Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy here on Monday.

Addressing journalists, Dr. Swamy said Mr. Chidambaram’s argument that the increase in international crude oil price was responsible for inflation had no basis.

Various taxes and excise duty on petroleum products had led to the increase in oil prices. There was no need for the government to increase the oil price if it withdrew the taxes and the excise duty. To compensate the loss in revenue, it should reduce its expenditure by outsourcing its operations and privatise loss-making public sector undertakings. He said that petrol could be sold at Rs.25 a litre if taxes and excise duty were withdrawn.

Dr. Swamy said he had written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to recognise the Supreme Court order on the Sethusamudram project and conduct an archaeological investigation to determine if Ramar Sethu could be declared an ancient monument.

Dr. Swamy said he would soon move the Madras High Court against the plea made by Nalini Murugan, a life convict in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, for early release.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National

News Update

Stories in this Section