BJP women activists demonstrate against rising prices

Jammu/Mumbai, Apr 12 : Women activists of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took to the streets on Friday to protest against the rising prices of essentials commodities. Shouting anti-government slogans, the activists blamed the present Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) for its failure to check rising prices.

"We are protesting inflation. It has further increased after the budget to about 40 per cent," claimed Sheela Devi, an activist.

"Earlier, we used to cook three vegetables for our meal. Now, it has come down to one. We have only one earning member at home. How are we going to afford the rising prices?" said Vaishali, a Mumbai resident.

However, analysts said the government should take steps to protect the vulnerable sections of society.

"The problem with these measures is that they will not yield immediate results even if let's assume the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) raises rates. The RBI can only attack future inflation. I think the government has already taken adequate steps. They should be taking steps to ensure that vulnerable sections of society are somehow protected, because at the economy level, they have already taken enough steps," said economist Dharam Kirti Joshi. Inflation has been pegged at 7.41 per cent, the highest in more than three years. Meanwhile, Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath has said the Central Government will take more steps to control inflation.

Nath said the supply side inflationary trend in the economy should be addressed by ensuring the regular supply of food items. He also suggested to State Governments to take measures to counter the problem of hoarding and speculation in trade.

ANI