Cong concerned over rising inflation: Pachouri

Indore, Mar 15 (UNI) Newly-appointed Madhya Pradesh Congress President Suresh Pachouri today said the party, its President Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh are concerned over rising inflation and steps are being taken to control it.

''However, inflation has not risen as much as compared to the previous NDA Government. Meanwhile, international price of petroleum products had gone up considerably,'' Mr Pachouri told reporters here.

Regarding the allegation by the state BJP Goverenment of step-motherly treatment by the Centre, he said more funds had been provided under various schemes this year. The Centre was providing additional funds to the state government but it was unable to utilise it.

On power crisis, Mr Pachouri said the Centre was providing 2,800 MW power instead of 1,800 MW power from central pool as decided earlier. Still, power crisis was worsening.

Alleging widespread corruption in the state, he said a monitoring committee must be set up to prevent alleged corruption in various central schemes. He claimed that atrocities had risen against SC, ST and women.

Mr Pachouri said the party would fight unitedly and emerge victorious in the upcoming assembly polls. However, about party leadership after assembly polls, he said a leader would be selected with the consent of the party president.

He said strategy would be chalked out for the upcoming assembly bypoll in Betul constituency. Regarding fielding Union Minister Kamal Nath's son, he said a decision regarding party candidate would be taken after mutual discussion.

The Congress leader said state party incharge general secretary V Narayan Sami had said that state party committee would be constituted by March 20. An announcement in this regard would be made accordingly.

On electoral alliance, state election campaign committee President Ajay Singh said the party was capable of fighting election alone. There was no question of electoral alliance.

On money of terrorists being put in stock market in the country, Mr Scindia said the vigilance of the country was tight and other countries had praised it.

UNI AA-PS