UPA govt failed to check inflation: JD(U)

New Delhi, Apr 2 (UNI) Janata Dal (United) president Sharad Yadav today criticised the UPA government for failing to check the surge in prices of essential commodities.

''The relentless rise in prices of essential commodities, particularly food items have broken the back of the common people.

The rising inflation and price rise is a direct result of the policies of the government,'' Mr Yadav said.

He said after farmers' suicides, the government must take steps to check sky rocketing inflation to prevent people from taking such drastic steps.

The rate of inflation has touched an all time high in 13 months at 6.68 per cent, he pointed out and said the Finance Minister and the UPA government has made a ''ridiculous'' statement that now people of the country have to learn living in the trend of rising prices.

The government's stand that the inflation in the country is the result of rapid economic growth does not stand tenable as China despite having rapid economic growth has contained inflation at two per cent, he said.

''The wrong policies of the government and mismanagement of Public Distribution System have led to shortage of supply and price rise of many essential commodities,'' he asserted, adding that the future trading should be stopped as it has not benefitted farmers but traders and big companies are making profit out of it and consumers are suffering.

He said lack of encouragement to farmers to increase food production has resulted in fall in production of foodgrains while Public Distribution System has been systematically weakened thereby weakening the food security system of the country.

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