Mamata criticises Centre on onion price rise

After taking on the Centre for not curbing violence allegedly engineered by the CPI(M) in West Bengal, Trinamool Congress chief and Railway minister Mamata Banerjee today criticised the UPA government for its failure to tackle the price rise including that of onion.

"The price of onion is skyrocketing. Onion is being sold at Rs 70 a kg. We are very concerned over spiralling prices of onion and other essential commodities," Banerjee told a public meeting here.

Banerjee said that her part had suggested that there should be a coordination or a monitoring committee among UPA allies to discuss various issues, "but without consulting us petrol price was increased."

She said just as the Centre could not avoid its responsibility on spiralling prices, the state government was equally responsible as it had done nothing to curb it.

Reiterating her charge that central forces deployed for anti-Maoist operations were being misused by the CPIM to retrieve lost ground, Banerjee urged the Centre to recall them.

"I would have nothing to say if central forces are used against Maoists, but they are kept at the disposal of the state government. The Centre should carry out the operation with its own agency," she said.

Banerjee said that TC MPs would meet the Prime Minister during the day to apprise him of the prevailing situation in the state.

She said that TC workers would protest the shooting price of onion in the same way as CPIM 'terror' and directed party workers to take to the streets on December 27 against the price rise.