UDF to hold roadblocks against price hike

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 6: The opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kerala will hold road blocks in all the Assembly Constituencies in the state on February 12 in protest against the CPI (M)-led Left Democratic Front's (LDF) Government's failure to check the price hike of essential commodities.

''The Government has not taken any sincere effort in bringing down the price of essential commodities, which has adversely affected the common man. The UDF has decided to hold road blocks in one centre each in all the Assembly constituencies against this skyrocketing of prices,'' UDF Convenor P P Thankachan told newspersons after the Front meeting.

The Government had the responsibility in bringing down the prices, he said and added the Government was instead putting the blame on the Centre for the price hike.

Mr Thankachan also demanded that the Government should give subsidy to the Civil Supplies Corporation for procuring essential commodities, which could be sold at reasonable price through its outlets. Though it could be a financial burden for the Government, it should be done for the sake of the people, especially for the common man, he added.

On the new Devaswom Ordinance, promulgated by the LDF Government, he said the UDF was not against curbing corruption and bringing in transparency in the Devaswom Boards. ''The UDF is only against denying autonomy to the Boards and also it should not hurt the sentiments of the people,'' he added.

He also said a sub committee had been constituted under the Chairmanship of G Karthikeyan to look into the Ordinance.

On the Higher Education Ordinance, Mr Thankachan alleged that it was promulgated in haste with a view to control the functioning of the Universities. ''It is only on necessary occasions that the Government promulgates ordinances. But the LDF Government, within days left for convening the Assembly, has promulgated the two ordinances,'' he said and alleged that the ordinances, which needed ''threadbare'' discussions in the Assembly, were brought in a haste.

The meeting, taking into account the increasing farmer's suicide due to debt, had also decided to organise a Farmers' Convention at Wayanad on March three.

When asked about reports that a constituent of the UDF was instrumental in blocking the CBI probe in the Marad massacre, Mr Thankachan said he was not aware of it.

UNI