Mayawati lambasts centre for price rise

"It is clear that the Centre is working under the influence and pressure of capitalists and if it fails to take effective measures against price hike immediately, my party will be forced to launch a nation-wide agitation," she told a press conference here.

She alleged that the Centre's "faulty" economic, import and export policies and its "tendency to benefit capitalists and big businessman" resulted in skyrocketing prices.

Mayawati said the Centre failed to take timely action to control prices of foodgrains, pulses and sugar and alleged that by making irresponsible statements, central ministers encouraged hoarders and blackmarketeers.

"A statement given by Union Agriculture Minister that sugar prices will rise further gave hoarders and blackmarketeers a chance to increase the rates," she said.
She alleged that just before Lok Sabha polls, petrol and diesel prices were slashed for political gains.

"After elections were over, the government with a clear intention of benefiting capitalists, effected a hefty hike in petrol and diesel prices resulting in price hike," she alleged.

"The Centre should have imposed a ban on export of rice, keeping in mind the requirement of wheat in the country. But it allowed large-scale exports resulting in inflation," Mayawati alleged.

She said rather than blaming the states, the Centre should change its policies.
"Instead of framing capitalist-oriented policies, the Centre should frame policies keeping in mind the common people," she said.

"Kendra ka haath poonjipati ke saath hai, aam aadmi ke saath nahi (Centre's backs capitalists and not the common people)," she alleged.

Mayawati said measures taken by the Centre to introduce additional stock of foodgrains and exempt sugar from duty was a "delayed and ineffective" decision.
"Releasing additional stock and exempting sugar from duty will not give relief to the people," she said.

Mayawati said the Centre was now mulling increasing petrol and diesel prices. "It is crystal clear that such decisions are being taken under the influence of capitalists," she alleged.

She said her government was making all efforts to provide relief to the people from price hike.

"District magistrates have been asked to act against hoarders and blackmarketeers under Essential Commodities Act," she added.