The Hindu : New Delhi News : Non-BJP parties insensitive to price rise: Vardhan

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Non-BJP parties insensitive to price rise: Vardhan

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party president Harsh Vardhan said on Saturday that all the political parties except the BJP had become insensitive to the sharp increases in the prices of essential commodities.

Pointing out that inflation had touched almost 12 per cent, Dr. Vardhan said none of the non-BJP parties were united to dislodge the Congress-led government at the Centre. “On the one hand, the people are suffering because of the price spiral while on the other corruption in the public distribution system has made their lives difficult,” he added.

Curbing the price rise was beyond the capacity of the United Progressive Alliance Government at the Centre, charged Dr. Harsh Vardhan, adding that the government machinery was protecting black marketers and hoarders. “The Chief Minister has made an irresponsible statement that there is no price spiral in Delhi,” he added.

Stating that the prices of vegetables had gone through the roof, Dr. Vardhan said pumpkin and brinjal were selling for Rs.20 to 24 per kg. “Cauliflower is being sold at Rs.60 per kg, tomatoes at Rs.24 per kg, kathal at Rs.30 per kg, green peas at Rs.60 per kg, potatoes at Rs.12 per kg, onion at Rs.12 per kg, bitter gourd at Rs.24 per kg, cucumber at Rs.20 per kg, spinach at Rs.24 per kg and tori at Rs.30 per kg in Delhi,” he added.

The BJP leader said the Government had made a false announcement that the people of Delhi would be given edible oil at cheap rates: “Edible oil is not available anywhere. The ration meant for fair price shops is being diverted to the black market. The bungling in the PDS was exposed in Delhi recently.”

Dr. Vardhan charged that in order to divert the attention of the “aam admi” from the price spiral and corruption, the Chief Minister and her Cabinet colleagues were continuously making announcements to mislead the people.

“With the date for elections coming close, the Government is worried about the unauthorised colonies, jhuggi-jhopri dwellers, villages, women and senior citizens. It the past ten years it has not allotted a cheap flat to even a single jhuggi-jhonpri dweller. The ‘Lal Dora’ area of villages has not been extended and even the transport system continues to be chaotic and dangerous,” he added.

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