Govt will take steps to address rising inflation: Chidambaram

Chennai, Jun 13 (UNI) Appearing undeterred over inflation touching a seven year high of 8.75 per cent, Union Finance Minister P Chidamabram today said ''one should not worry while facing difficulties'' as the government would take steps to address the problem.

''This will pass on. People should not be overwhelmed by the present difficulties,'' he said while speaking at a function at Madras Christian College Higher Secondary School here.

''We take pride in the successes we have achieved, but at the same time, we should not feel worried when we face difficultY'', he added.

Seeking people's cooperation to the government to tide over the present situation, Mr Chidambaram said it was the duty of the government to address the issue and it would certainly do it.

''People should help the government to overcome this difficult,'' he stressed.

Mr Chidambaram attributed the high inflation rate to global factors, that were beyond the control of the Union government.

''Unprecedented rise in crude oil prices and food items in the global market are the main cause for the present difficulties'', he added.

Appealing to the media to exercise restraint and not to hype the issue on inflation, Mr Chidambaram said ''remember what we had achieved. India had never witnessed five such years when the average growth rate is nine per cent. There has been no period of five years when India's stature had dramatically advanced,'' he recalled.

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