Unions demand subsidised food to combat price rise

Blaming the central government's "imperialism-guided" policies for abnormal price rise, central trade unions Wednesday demanded setting up of an universal distribution system providing 35 kg of foodgrain at Rs.2 per kg.

"Because of imperialism-guided policies, the whole country has been witnessing unprecedented rise in prices, including those of essential commodities. Since 2004, foodgrain prices have risen by a staggering 157 percent while vegetables prices have increased by 3,550 percent," said a joint media statement by the trade unions.

The trade unions also accused the Mamata Banerjee-led government in West Bengal of being "anti-people" and "working hand in glove with black marketers and hoarders".

"Both the central and West Bengal governments have been working to serve the interests of hoarders, capitalists, black marketers which has resulted in the prices sky-rocketing, making miserable the life of the common man," the trade unions said.

Besides a universal distribution system providing foodgrain at subsidised rates, the trade unions demanded immediate action against hoarders and black marketers as well as immediate steps to arrest the price hike.

"If our demands are not met, then for the welfare of the public, the trade unions will be compelled to generate a fierce movement across the country," the statement said.