Ambika to convey Mamata's concern over price rise to PM

Kolkata, Sept 16: In the backdrop of the petrol price hike, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni today (Sept 16) said that she would convey the concern of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over price rise to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

"She has expressed her concern over the price rise and as a member of the Union cabinet, I will convey it to the Prime Minister on Saturday," Soni told reporters here after meeting the chief minister, a UPA ally who has opposed some vital initiatives of the central government.

Asked if she had a discussion with the chief minister on the Teesta agreement, which was opposed by Banerjee and finally led to her opting out of PM's delegation to Bangladesh recently, Soni said "she has already conveyed her views to the PM and he knows it.

"The PM has also conveyed his views to the chief minister. Whether there is any difference (on the issue), I don't know," the minister said.

Asked about the EGoM meet on limiting domestic LPG cylinder supply, Soni said the meeting had been deferred. "I don't know when it will be held next as I am out of station today."

Maintaining that she was here to attend the annual convocation of the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, she said "We will work on the chief minister's proposal for further development of the Institute."

PTI