Left parties in state to protest price hike
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 13 2021: Left parties in the state would be joining the nationwide protest against hike in prices of petroleum products and other essential commodities, which will be held from June 16 to 30 .

The decision was taken during a joint meeting of left parties held at Irawat Bhawan here on Saturday.

In a joint statement, the Left Parties Coordination Committee informed that the left parties in the state - CPI, CPI (M), RSP and AIFB met and discussed the socio-political and economic conditions of the state during the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic.

The meeting felt that more assaults on people's livelihood are being mounted by the relentless rise in prices of all essential commodities and petroleum products.

"Instead of helping people to combat the ravages of the Covid-19 health catastrophe, the Modi government hiked the prices of petroleum products by at least 21 times after the announcement of results of the recent assembly elections on May 2, 2021.This leads to a cascading inflationary spiral with the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) rising to an eleventh year high," it stated.

Prices of food articles have risen by nearly 5 per cent in April.

Primary commodities saw a rise of 10.16 per cent and manufactured products have risen by 9.01 per cent.

By the time these commodities reach the retail markets, the consumers are charged much more, the statement said while adding that this is happening while the country is witnessing a deep recession in economy, galloping unemployment, collapsing purchasing power and rising level of hunger.

Asserting that unscrupulous black-marketing and hoarding is taking place under state patronage, the joint statement demanded the Modi government to crackdown on such black-marketing, especially on essential drugs, which is vital for people's survival.

Modi government must immediately give direct cash transfers of Rs 7500 per month for six months to all families not in the income tax paying bracket.

The provisions announced by PM Modi regarding extension of PMGKAY scheme of 5 kgs of food grains till Diwali are completely inadequate and do not cover the needs of the people.

In order to meet the requirement, the government should provide 10 kg of food grains per month to all individuals including a food kit containing pulses, edible oil, sugar, spices, tea among others at free of cost, the statement maintained.

Given the nature and severity of the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic and the necessity to strictly adhere to the precautions and protocol, the Left parties in the state, as part of the Nationwide Fortnight Protest, call upon the lower units to conduct a series of protests in their respective places during June 16 to 30.State level protest action will be held on June 16 in Imphal, the joint statement added.

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