Din in Kerala Assembly over rice price hike; House adjourned

After a two-hour discussion on the issue of price rise when Food Minister Anoop Jacob started the reply, opposition members moved to the well alleging "indifference and corruption in the government" was responsible for the present situation.

The situation was not so alarming as stated by opposition, Jacob said and wanted the opposition to specify corruption charges against him.

As Opposition members continued their protest, Speaker G Karthikeyan took up other business scheduled for the day and adjourned the house.

Members of both ruling UDF and LDF expressed concern over the price rise and wanted government to take actions to contain it.

CPI-M leader and former Finance Minister Thomas Issac criticised the policy of both Centre and state and said price rise was the direct result of policies persued by these governments.

Initiating the debate, former state food minister C Divakaran (CPI) charged the state government with laxcity in resolving the serious issue of price rise.

Later, talking to reporters Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said the opposition was not "interested" in resolving the serious problem of price rise faced by people.

The opposition motion was only a political stunt and their intention was clear when they disrupted reply of Food Minister, Chandy said.

Government was well aware of the situation, he said and refuted opposition charge that price of rice had gone up to Rs 45 to Rs 50 per kg.

According to government information, the average state price of rice stood at between Rs 25 to Rs 35.40 per kg,Chandy added.