Price of only edible oils has risen: Moily

Bangalore, Apr 8 (UNI) Congress leader Veerappa Moily today claimed that except edible oils, there was no rise in the prices of essential commodities despite the high rate of inflation in the recent months.

Speaking to mediapersons here he said the UPA government had 'managed' to protect the common man from the heat of the soaring inflation, which had been a global phenomenon and not just limited to India.

''The price rise is restricted to only steel and edible oils. The high inflation is a global phenomenon and the UPA government is taking all steps to check it. It takes some time for the measures to take effect.

''The prices of petro products had gone up by more than 200 per cent during last three years worldwide. But we have kept it down to just 39 per cent during the same period,'' he said.

Mr Moily, who is also the Chairman of Central Administrative Reforms, said in China the inflation rate stood at 2.5 per cent last year before it soared to over 8 per cent now. The situation is the same in most of the other countries, he said.

Referring to the coming Assembly elections in Karnataka he expressed confidence that Congress would come back to power as the people of the state wanted to have a stable government for steady development.

''The people have seen the worst kind of administration during JD(S)-BJP rule which ultimately fell apart due to serious differences on sharing power,'' he said.

Referring to a reduction in the representation from Karnataka in the Union Cabinet with the resignation of Mr M V Rajashekaran, Mr Moily said adequate representation to Karnataka would be provided after the assembly polls.

UNI MV RS AKJ RK1536