New Delhi: Announcing a country-wide
agitation on February 10 by JD-U, its president Sharad Yadav
on Thursday blamed the Centre for its failure to control spiralling
prices of essential commodities.
"Our party will hold a country-wide agitation against
price rise on February 10. Controlling inflation is the
responsibility of the Centre but it has failed to do so.
Centre procures foodgrains in advance and therefore it should
be in a position to control prices.
"Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar's statements have
fuelled inflation but only a minister is not responsible for
the prevailing situation, the entire government is
responsible," Yadav told reporters here.
He said despite a Cabinet Committee on Prices being in
place, the Centre failed to do anything earlier and it is now
convening a meeting of Chief Ministers to discuss the price
rise situation.
"Commodity exchanges have also played a major role in
spiralling prices of essential commodities and even PDS stock
has come down in recent times," he said.
On being asked whether Pawar should resign, Yadav refused
to reply, saying it was the Prime Minister's prerogative.
He also said that the Centre should come down heavily
against hoarders and black marketeers.
PTI
First Published: Thursday, January 21, 2010, 18:25