The main Opposition party said inflation rising to a 44-month high of 7.83 per cent “certifies the ineffectiveness of the various fiscal measures adopted by the UPA government” in the last few days.

“The Congress-led Government has failed miserably and has betrayed the common man on whose name it came to power. It is high time some concrete measures are taken to ease the burden on the common man,” BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said.

He asked the Government to supply through ration shops five kg each of edible oil and pulses and enough quantity of rise, wheat and sugar at reasonable prices to all sections of society.

“It should be done even if the Government has to pay subsidies,” he added.

Besides, he wanted the UPA Government to adopt the policy of revenue neutralisation on petroleum products. “Every time crude oil prices go up in the international market, Government profits because of ad valorem duty,” he added.

On reported remarks by certain ministers that BJP-ruled states should also take the blame for price rise, he said the Congress-led Government was now putting the blame on states after the situation went out of control.