RJD boycotts Upper House on price rise issue

Patna, Jul 28 (UNI) Dissatisfied with the reply of the goverment over the rising of prices, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) today boycotted the Upper House.

Replying to the special debate in the state Legislative Council over the rising of prices, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi, who is also holding the finance portfolio, said the prices of essential commodities have crossed all limits and the country had never experienced such a situation before.

He said the state government had given some respite to the consumers by revising the prices of petrol, diesel and cooking gas which were enhanced by the centre.

Mr Modi said the state government was against blackmarketing and hoarding and announced stern action against those involved in it.

He blamed the Centre's faulty policies for the food grain crisis in the state saying it would go on till the gap between demand and supply was met.

Demanding a meeting of the Chief Ministers on the issue, he said it can be solved taking everyone in confidence.

Highlighting the data of price rise from July 2007 to 2008, Mr Modi said the prices of bitumen increased unexpectedly by 78.13, steel by 40.63, cement by 19.25, stone agreement by 10 and bricks by 19.82 per cent during the period..

Due to the increase in the prices of such commodities, the construction cost of bridges have escalated by 36 to 40 per cent.

The RJD members were dissatisfied with the governments reply and staged a noisy walkout of the Upper House.

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