gÉÉŌ A.]ÉŌ. xÉÉxÉÉ

03.08.2010
In a move to decontrol the petroleum prices, the government in the last few
months, raised the petrol prices twice in the recent hike it was raised abnormally.
This is very much affecting the common man. The Government is fully
responsible for the huge hike in the prices of essential commodities.
Petroleum prices are increased by the Central Government and out of the 78
Ministers in the Central Government as many as 12 are from Tamil Nadu and 7
are from the DMK. They are part of the Central Government’s frequent decisions
to hike the prices of petroleum products.
In fact the Finance Minister of India, after the meeting of Ministers at
which the decision to increase petrol and diesel prices was taken, specifically
mentioned that the DMK Minister Mr. Azagri was present at the meeting and that
the DMK has approved the increase. These are the people who are responsible for
the price rise caused by the hike in the prices of petroleum products. They cannot
escape from their responsibility.
The protest against the rise in prices of petrol, diesel, kerosene and LPG,
the General Secretary of our party, AIADMK, Hon’ble Amma had organized a
mammoth rally at Coimbatore on 13 th July, 2010, it was a historic rally which was
attended by more than ten lakh people. People are agitated over the rise in the
prices of essential commodities.
The above rally showed the importance of the issue. It is an indication of
the feelings of the people of this country. The government should give due respect
to their feelings and roll back the price hike. This will only soothe/ease the
feelings of the people of this country.
The second reason for price rise is the problem of hoarding of essential
commodities by unscrupulous elements, causing an artificial shortage to increase
prices. They purchase commodities at the lowest possible prices, stock them in
warehouses, creating an artificial scarcity. When the prices go up, the hoarders
dump their stocks in the market, at a huge profit. So, the State Governments have
no will or intention to conduct raids and bring out the hoarded stocks.
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