Stung by criticism of the Centre on the price rise issue, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday directed chief ministers of party-ruled states to take stringent measures against hoarders.
NEW DELHI: Stung by the growing criticism of the Centre on the price rise issue, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday directed chief ministers of party-ruled states to take stringent measures against hoarders and profiteers to curb rising prices to avoid further hardship to the ‘aam aadmi’.
On their part, the chief ministers, pledged to complement the efforts of the Centre to rein in prices of essential commodities. But they unanimously sought to put the blame for the situation on the "trader-friendly" measures of the AB
Vajpayee government, while seeking more powers to intervene in cases of hoarding of essential commodities.
While citing the difficulties in this regard being experienced due to the February 15, 2002 order issued by the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance government rescinding all control orders under the Essential Commodities Act, they sought reconsideration of the previous government's decision.
The chief ministers requested that forward trading in foodgrains and some other essential commodities should be better regulated to curb excessive speculation.
There are indications at the All India Congress Committee that an ordinance would be promulgated within a few days, nullifying the 2002 order of the Vajpayee government which, the meeting felt, was responsible for the inflationary trend.
In a clear move to put the Opposition BJP on the defensive, the meeting sought to blame the "trader-friendly" measures of the NDA government as responsible for the recent increase in prices of essential commodities like wheat, pulses, sugar and vegetables.
However, they resolved to monitor the price situation closely and take such steps as might be found necessary.
Out of the 14 Congress Chief Ministers, Capt Amarinder Singh (Punjab) and Tarun Gogoi (Assam) did not participate in the meeting on health grounds. Meghalaya Chief Minister JD Rymbai was absent as the assembly was in session.
Briefing mediapersons on the deliberations, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee said Gandhi advised the chief ministers to continue to take measures to strengthen the public distribution system and ensure that it functions effectively and provides essential commodities to the common people at reasonable prices.
Dr Manmohan Singh, Finance Minister P Chidamabaram, Pranab Mukherjee and AICC general secretaries and Congress Working Committee members in charge of states, Gandhi's Political Secretary Ahmed Patel and AICC treasurer Motilal Vora attended the meeting at Gandhi's official 10, Janpath residence.
The meeting began with opening remarks by Gandhi, setting the trend for the discussion. Dr Singh and Chidambaram explained the steps the Centre had initiated to check the price rise.
The prime minister assured them that his government would look into the issues raised by the chief ministers, AICC General Secretary Janardhan Dwivedi said.
Asked if the exercise initiated by Gandhi against price rise meant isolation of Prime Minister Singh, Mukherjee asked: ""Where is the question of isolation? Dr Singh is the Prime Minister. A Prime Minister is a Prime Minister."
"Gandhi will have to respond to the situation," he said, recalling the CWC meeting, the meeting of party general secretaries and the meeting of chief ministers of party-ruled states.
"It is not the question of being satisfied or dissatisfied," Mukherjee said, in reply to a question if Gandhi was satisfied with the measures taken by the Centre and party ruled states against price rise which has brought in embarrassment to the government, especially in the context of supporting Left parties gearing up to go to the streets on the issue.
On the 2002 order of the NDA government, he said the states could not take immediate action as they have to seek prior permission of the Centre under the order on the Essential Commodities Act.
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