Demonstration in Aurangabad against price rise

Aurangabad, Apr 20 (ANI): Scores of factory and cottage industry workers including daily wage earners and domestic helps took to the streets and staged protest demonstration against rising prices of essential commodities here on Monday.

Holding placards and banners, the protestors including women and elderly, joined the march led by veteran social activist Pannalal Surana.

They raised slogans against the rocketing prices of essential commodities and also accused the Food and Supply Department of indulging in black marketing and diverting food grains meant for the poor families to traders.

The protestors tried to block the road and prevent traffic from moving before the police prevented them.

They urged the government to provide the poor families with essential commodities at affordable prices including factory workers and other labourers.

"Our demands are that wheat should be available at two rupees per kilogram. And the rise in prices of diesel and petrol should be rolled back. Along with this we also want that every workers should get pension after the age of 60. With these demands we have staged the protest here," said Surana, a socialist leader.

Rising inflation has put the Congress-led ruling coalition on the back foot, forcing it to defer key economic reforms, including market-determined fuel prices, as it takes on an emboldened opposition in parliament.

India, the world's second-fastest growing major economy, is expected by the government to grow 8.5 percent in the current fiscal year, which ends March 2011, and nine percent the next year.

India's annual inflation was less than expected in March as food and manufacturing price pressures eased, suggesting the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will opt for a 25 basis-point rate rise next week rather than a more aggressive move. (ANI)