CPI(M) criticises UPA Govt for its failure in controlling inflation

New Delhi, Aug 16 (UNI) The CPI(M) today expressed grave concern over high rate of inflation and the utter failure of the UPA Government to provide any relief.

In a statement, the Party said that as compared to 2004, the retail prices of wheat had gone up by over 60 per cent, that of rice and pulses by nearly 50 per cent and edible oil by over 40 per cent. The high procurement of wheat this year has had no impact on the wheat price in the open market.

The CPI(M) said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's comments on price rise and inflation in his Independence Day address added salt to the wounds.

The party said the Prime Minister cited the rise in international price of food and fuel and claimed that the UPA Government has worked hard to ensure that inflation in the country is not as high as in many other countries. There were some developed countries like Venezuela, Egypt, Russia and Pakistan, where very high inflation prevails, there are several other developed countries like China, South Korea, Brazil and Mexico, where the inflation rate is lower than that of India.

The Government could not afford to seek solace in relatively higher inflation figures of some other developing countries, the CPI(M) added.

It alleged that the UPA Government had failed on its crucial commitment mode in the National Common Minimum Programme (NCMP) to universalise the Public Distribution System (PDS).

Instead, it had chosen to slash foodgrains allocation to the States from the Central pool, causing difficulties for the State Governments. Doing away with the failed system of targeted PDS and an expansion of an universalised PDS would have gone a long way in providing some relief to the working people, who are reeling under relentless price rise of essential commodities, the party added.

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