BJP to start movement against price rise

NEW DELHI: The BJP has said that it would start a "public movement" in the national capital in protest against the rapid rise in the prices of essential commodities.

"The Congress-ruled Delhi Government should take stern steps to curb the rise in the prices of essential commodities immediately otherwise we will start a public movement in the capital against the Centre and the state," Delhi BJP president Harshvardhan said.

Addressing a demonstration organised by the BJP Delhi Pradesh Mahila Morcha, Harshvardhan said it was due to the anti-people policies of the Central and Delhi Congress governments and to benefit the foreign trade lobby that prices are at its peak.

"From the time the Congress allowed forward trading in food grains, other commodities and oil, the speculators are increasing the prices with the connivance of the government," he said.

Attacking the Budget 2008-09 presented by Finance Minister AK Walia for failing to curb price rise, Harshvardhan said it was becoming difficult for the common man to make both ends meet, a statement issued by the BJP said.

Delhi Government has announced that 25 per cent subsidy will be made available at the market price in for 'arhar' and 'chana' dal (varieties of pulse). But such pulses are not available in the market, he alleged.

Enumerating those items whose prices have increased in the last six months, BJP Mahila Morcha president Vishakha Shalini alleged that women were facing extreme difficulty in managing their kitchen in view of skyrocketing prices, the release added.