Concern over price rise, LS suggests strengthening PDS

New Delhi, Nov 30 (UNI) Members in the Lok Sabha today expressed concern over the rise in prices of essential commodities and made out a case for strenghtening the Public Distribution System (PDS) and augmenting their supplies to dampen inflationary expectations.

Participating in a discussion under Rule 193, the members said the price rise was hitting hard the common man and asked the government to take urgent steps to curb prices.

Mr Chinta Mohan (Congress) said the PDS system needs to be revitalised and highlighted how many of the government schemes were getting adversely affected due to poor implementation.

Mr Ananth Kumar (BJP) took on the government for failure to check hike in prices of essential commodities and said despite there being a Cabinet Committee on Prices(CCP) the prices were spiralling.

He attributed the increase in the prices to three factors--(a) increase in prices of sugar, cereals and pulses; (b) rise in prices of petroleum products and (c) increase in prices of manufactured goods.

Mr Kumar wanted the government to establish a fool proof monitoring mechanism which will keep a close watch on production of agricultural commodities and their procurement and prices.

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