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LDF to launch anti-Centre campaign

LDF convener Vaikom Viswan says that the Centre is taking an ‘evasive attitude.’

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State committee of the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) has decided to put the Centre on the firing line over the flare-up in the prices of essential commodities beginning with people’s conventions across all panchayats on December 15.

The LDF panel has also constituted a sub-committee to advise the government to tackle the price situation. The sub-committee comprising Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan, Food and Civil Supplies Minister C. Divakaran, Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac and Cooperation Minister G. Sudhakaran will decide the additional measures to be taken to hold the price line. The sub-committee will meet here on Tuesday and its recommendations will be acted upon by the Cabinet at its meeting on Wednesday.

Briefing reporters after the LDF State committee meeting here on Monday, front convener Vaikom Viswan said the price situation was continuing to be intractable despite the best efforts by the State government on account of the evasive attitude of the Centre. “Those who are responsible for the current spurt in prices are evading responsibility and trying to blame the LDF government for the present situation,” Mr. Viswan said.

He pointed out that the State government was making a sustained intervention in the market by selling foodgrains and other essential commodities at below market prices. Rice was being supplied to some 26 lakh ration cardholders at Rs.2 a kg and to Above Poverty Line (APL) cardholders at Rs.13.50 and Rs.14.50 a kg. The Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation (Supplyco) was selling 13 essential commodities at subsidised prices.

Despite the State government taking such a heavy burden to ease the difficulties of the people, the Centre was persisting with its inflationary policies. Future trading was very much in place and hoarders and profiteers were having a field day. The price situation would improve only if the Centre acted decisively and made foodgrains and pulses available to the State in sufficient quantities, the LDF convener said.

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