Sonia likely to convene special CWC on Aug 14

Sonia Gandhi may convene a special Congress Working Committee (CWC) on August 14 in the backdrop of looming drought and price rise, highly-placed Congress sources told Business Standard.

The meeting is aimed at taking a stand to urge the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, which has entered its sixth year after the 2009 General Election, to take immediate measures to curb the retail prices in the market.

According to an estimate, the prices of many essential commodities, especially food articles, have shot up to even 30 per cent.

At the meeting, the Congress is likely to emphasise that the states should take action against hoarders and black marketeers.

The party is also expected to back the government’s efforts on drought management.

A senior UPA minister said today, “The speculation about the drought is over now. There is indeed a drought-like situation in the country. Now the entire government machinery will be used to fight this situation.”