There has not been rise in food prices: Moily

Bangalore, Apr 8: Congress leader Veerappa Moily today claimed that barring edible oil there was no rise in the prices of essential commodities despite the high rate of inflation in the recent months.

Speaking to reporters 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 phenomena and not just limited to India.

"The price rise is restricted to only steel and edible oil. The high inflation is a global phenomena and the UPA government is taking all steps to keep it in check. It takes some time for the measures to take effect.

"The prices of pretro 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 was same in most of the other countries as well, he said.

Referring to coming Assembly elections in Karnataka he expressed confidence that Congress would come back to power as 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 of power," he said.

Referring to a reduction in representation from Karnataka in the Union cabinet with the resignation of Mr M V Rajashekaran, Mr Moily said Referring to reducing representation of Karnataka in the central cabinet with the resignation of M V Rajashekaran, Mr Moily said that adequate representation to Karnataka would be provided after the elections in state.

UNI