Price rise not a mere regional issue: Stalin

Chennai, Jan 13 (PTI) Taking on the Opposition for itscriticism that the Tamil Nadu government has failed to controlprice rise, ruling DMK today said it was not a mere regionalissue and efforts are being taken to ensure that the commonman do not suffer.

Deputy Chief Minister M K Stalin told the Assemblythat his government was taking all steps to ensure that thepoor people did not suffer from price rise.

"Price rise issue has always been used (as acriticism) against any government. But this is not just aregional or national issue but a global one," he said whilewinding up the debate on the motion to thank the Governor forhis address to the Assembly.

Stalin said both the Centre and state governments weretaking efforts to control the situation and recalled themeeting convened by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to discussthe situation.

"Chief Minister (Karunanidhi) has convened a meetingof officials in Chennai tomorrow to discuss the price risesituation," he said.

Stalin said various schemes by the government,including providing rice at Re one kg in PDS shops anddistributing a packet of provisions at subsidised rates werebeing implemented to ensure the "poor don''t suffer".

He recalled Finance Minister K Anbzahagan''s statementin the Assembly on Wednesday saying price rise was like anatural calamity for which no individual could be blamed.

As part of the government''s policy of establishingmedical college in every district, Puthukottai andViruthunagar have been included besides Ramanathapuram,Dindigul and Cuddalore, which were mentioned in the governor''saddress on January 7, he said.