UPA regime has checked price rise: PM

Badwani, MP, Nov 23 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today claimed that the Centre's United Progressive Alliance government had reined in the price rise.

''The Centre is making comprehensive efforts to save the poor from the effect of the price rise and that is precisely why kerosene and fertiliser prices were not hiked,'' the Planning Commission Chairman said while addressing an election meeting in Congress favour at the headquarters of this tribal-dominated district of poll-bound Madhya Pradesh.

Firing a broadside at the state's Bharatiya Janata Party regime, Dr Singh pointed out that the Chief Minister (Shivraj Singh Chouhan) and several ministers had Lokayukta cases registered against them.

''The BJP, which came to power on the 'bijli', 'sadak', 'pani' (power, roads, water) issues, proved a failure on these key fronts.

I urge people to make use of the Right to Information Act to expose those involved in corruption. You must compulsorily exercise your franchise as that is imperative for strengthening democracy,'' the Premier felt.

Among those present were Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee President Suresh Pachouri and Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Jamuna Devi.

UNI XC-AC 2000