On inflation, Pranab Mukherjee counters Left with ration punch

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Express news service

Posted online: Monday , April 28, 2008 at 12:50:00
Updated: Monday , April 28, 2008 at 12:50:00

kolkata, April 27 External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee today criticised the Left parties for raising a hue and cry over inflation and said that pressing the panic button on price hike will only aid the hoarders.

With the Left parties making all attempts to corner the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre on price hike, Mukherjee today said that Left should not cry hoarse on the issue since the public-distribution system in CPM ruled West Bengal has already collapsed.

The minister, who was attending a programme organised by the West Bengal Pradesh Congress, alleged that rampant hoarding has plagued the state.

Mukherjee said that before organising any movement, the Left parties should try to analyse why there is no procurement of foodgrain from the state.

“The Central government procures 15 million tonnes of wheat and 20 million tonnes of rice each year for distribution under the public distribution system and the state needs to answer how much of this is forked out by it,” said Mukherjee. If the state government does not procure foodgrain, then from where will the Centre get food grains? he wondered.

Mukherjee said that the foodgrain are procured at a high price of Rs 12 to 14 per kg and given to the people at a subsidised price of Rs 6 to 8 per kg. In the four years since UPA came into power, the minimum support price on the procured foodgrain has increased by Rs 100 per quintal.

Referring to the crisis of foodgrain in Philippines, Mukherjee said that it is an international phenomenon.

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