CPI(M) to resort to agitation against price rise on Feb 5

Chennai, Jan 22 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu unit of Communist Party of India (Marxist) would organise a picketing agitation in front of the Centre and state government offices on February five throughout the state, protesting against the rise in prices of essential commodities.

CPI(M) state unit secretary N Varadarajan, in a statement here today said the state executive, which met here, discussed the issue of price rise and launch an agitation, demanding immediate steps to contain the price rise. The picketing agitation would be preceded by a week-long propaganda movement from January 28 to February four, he added.

Mr Varadarajan said prices of all items, used by common people like edible oil, vegetables, cooking gas used in tea shops, cement and other construction materials have skyrocketed, putting the middle and lower class people in great hardship.

Accusing the centre and state governments of failing to contain the price rise, the CPI(M) leader said the state government should strengthen the Public Distribution System(PDS) and sell edible oil and vegetables in fair price shops. The government should also ensure supply of 20 kgs of rice to the card holders, he added.

He said the government should also open procurement centres in all districts and procure paddy by paying good price and both the centre and state governments should take stern action to bring down the prices of construction materials.

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