Government has betrayed the common man: Sushma Swaraj

New Delhi, Aug 3 (ANI): Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Sushma Swaraj, on Tuesday said that the common man has been the hardest hit by the price rise.

Opening the discussion on the issue of rising prices in the Lok Sabha, Swaraj, speaking in Hindi, said: "The Congress led Government has betrayed the common man. All price policies of the Congress are anti-poor."

Accusing the government of raising prices of essential items after winning the elections in May last year, Swaraj said: " Congress had won the poll, but lost its morality."

The opposition is disappointed that the Centre is not serious about tackling the continuous upsurge in inflation.

She asserted that taxes are the highest in India on petroleum products, and the maximum taxes are shared by those states, which are ruled by the Congress Party.

"Taxes on petroleum products are higher in India than anywhere else in the world," she said.

Swaraj was particular in pointing towards leader of the House Pranab Mukherjee and asking him to give an explanation on these issues.

Mukherjee retorted that the explanations that he had given were already before the House and approved by its members.

He also urged Swaraj to highlight the problems faced by oil making companies.

East Delhi MP Sandeep Dikshit also took on the opposition on a host of issues, vociferous by defending the UPA Government's policies. He also made suggestions for alleviating the price rise, food crises etc.

Earlier, Speaker Meira Kumar had adjourned the House till 11:40 a.m. after members of the Opposition began protesting. The House also saw uproar over illegal mining as the House resumed after a brief adjournment.

On Monday, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee had a breakfast meeting with Opposition leaders and managed to reach a compromise formula that stalled Parliament all of last week.

The compromise formula includes a resolution, which will be adopted in both houses of Parliament that the text will focus on the impact of the price rise.

The month-long Monsoon session of Parliament, which started on July 26, has not been able to transact any business so far.

Earlier, Meira Kumar rejected the opposition's demand for a vote on the price rise issue.

Kumar said price rise is a matter of concern and may be discussed in any form other than an adjournment motion. (ANI)