Imphal, February 10 2010: As part of the country-wide protest against soaring prices of essential commodities, BJP Manipur Pradesh staged a protest demonstration at Moirangkhom today.

Noting that the escalating prices of food across the country have hit hard the poor, particularly those belonging to BPL category, the BJP has been urging the UPA Government to frame a national food policy in order to check price rise.

Pressing the same demand, BJP launched a series of protest movement across the country since January 10.BJP Manipur Pradesh joined the protest agitation from January 31 .

The protest demonstration staged at Moirangkhom was participated by BJP National Youth president Amit Thakker, BJP North East Organising Secretary Chandrasekhar Rao and members of BJP Manipur Pradesh.

The protest demonstration was staged demanding provision of 30 kgs of rice, 5 kgs each of dal and sugar every month to all BPL and APL families.

The BJP has also been demanding ban on export of food items, hoarding by business men and provision of all food items to the people at subsidised rates fixed by the Government as well as formulation of a national food policy.

Agricultural requirements like fertilizers, seeds, pesticides etc should be made available to farmers.

For development of agriculture, the Government should improve irrigation networks.

The public distribution system should be monitored stringently, BJP demanded.

BJP Manipur Pradesh spokesperson Ksh Brajamani said that decried that prices of essential commodities, particularly food items have been rising without any interruption causing unprecedented misery to BPL families who constitute a major chunk of the country's population.

At present, one kilogram of dal costs between Rs 90-100, potato Rs 16 per kg and rice Rs 20 per kilogram.

These phenomenal rise in the prices of essential commodities have hit the poor very hard, Brajamani said.

He further urged upon the State Government to check further rise in the prices of essential commodities as and when recommendations of the 6th Pay Commission are implemented in the State.

The protest demonstration was also attended by BJP Manipur Pradesh president Sh Shantikumar, former president Dr H Bhubon, M Bhorot and vice-president S Tikendra.

Joining the country-wide protest led by NDA convenor Sharad Yadav against the ever-rising prices of essential commodities, members of Janata Dal (United), Manipur State unit also staged a similar protest demonstration at Governor Road today.

A press release issued by the political outfit accused the SPF Government of paying little attention to the suffering of poorer sections of the society, like peasants and daily wage earners.

It asserted that public distribution system has failed miserably in Manipur.

The Government is unable to distribute even one kilogram rice or half litre of kerosene in remote areas even as the prices of essential commodities is much higher in Manipur than other States of India due to many extra factors such as collection of illegal taxes along NH 39 and NH 53.It also accused the UPA Government of being anti-poor and anti-people.

Comment