CPI(M) activists begin hunger strike against inflation

Mumbai, Jun 2 (UNI) Activists of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) today began their indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan in South Mumbai, against the rising prices of essential commodities and the government's failure to control it.

CPI(M) activists alleged that the government had almost stopped distributing essential commodities through the public distribution system in the urban as well as rural areas, and people were not getting anything in the PDS shops despite having ration cards.

The activists were led by Mahendra Singh, the general secretary of the CPI(M), who said the ongoing strike was indefinite and they would not budge until the government succeeded in controlling the prices.

Mr Singh, alongwith other protestors, demanded that the government should immediately start the PDS in a proper manner and the ration card holders should get all the essential commodities every month.

The government should strengthen the PDS system in order to reduce the burden on the common man.

''The PDS system is a complete failure as the shop owners and the government agencies are benefitting from the subsidies given to the public,'' alleged Mr Singh.

The activists will collect 25 lakh signatures against rise in prices from different districts across Maharashtra and will submit the same to Maharashtra chief minister of Vilasrao Deshmukh.

CPI(M) activists also alleged that the Central and the state governments were providing all facilities to the Non Resident Indians and the rich class, but were snatching the basic needs of the common man.

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