Opposition walkout in UP assembly over price issue

Opposition BJP today staged a walkout in the Uttar Pradesh assembly charging the state government with failing to take enough steps to control rising prices.

The issue was raised by Satish Mahana and Suresh Kumar Khanna (both BJP) who wanted to know whether the government had any concrete work plan to control soaring prices.

Responding to their queries, food and civil supplies minister Ram Prasad Chaudhery said a number of steps have been taken by the government for ensuring uninterrupted supply of essential commodities.

The district magistrates have also been asked to conduct raids to check hoarding and black marketing, he said.

To supplementaries on the hike in prices of sugar, flour and rice between January 2009 and November 2009, he said hike in support price of foodgrains has added to price surge.

However, Om Prakash Singh (BJP) alleged that chief minister Mayawati has not conducted any meeting on the price issue and had been blaming the Centre.

BJP members staged a walkout when Parliamentary affairs minister Lalji Verma refuted the allegation.