AIKS blames Govt,s ''wrong policies'' for price rise

New Delhi, June 24 (UNI) The All India Kisan Sabha today said the ''wrong policies'' of the Government had led to price rise of essential commodities and demanded that action be taken against hoarders to check the spiralling trend.

AIKS President S Ramachandran Pillai also demanded that the essential commodities like pulses and edible oil, be included in the Public Distribution System.

''People are experiencing all round rise in prices of essential commodities like wheat, pulses and vegetables.... The Government's free import of wheat and sugar will not bring down the prices unless its basic policies change,'' he said.

Mr Pillai said the stagnation of production in wheat, pulses and sugar was the direct result of wrong policies of the Successive Governments over the past 15 years.

''Giving up priority for food grain production has led to stagnation.... Wheat production this year was enough for consumption in India. Instead of procuring it for PDS the government delayed that and allowed private parties to procure and stock as much as possible,'' he added.

The AIKS president said the Sabha opposed import of wheat by private traders who it claimed had artificially increased prices.

The All India Fair Prices Shop Dealers' Federation also opposed the Government's decision to allow wheat import by the private sector.

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