LDF Opposition members walk out of Assembly over price rise

The entire CPI(M)-led LDF Opposition members walked out of the state Assembly in protest against government's 'failure' to check rise in the price of essential commodities.

However, the government maintained it has done everything possible to control spurt in prices with effective market intervention by earmarking a total of Rs 135 crore during the current year.

The Opposition rose in protest over the statements of Food Minister Anoop Jacob and Agriculture Minister K P Mohanan that the magnitude of price rise was not as high as projected by them.

Replying to a notice for an adjournment motion moved by the Opposition, Jacob maintained that government had checked prices, especially that of rice, and that stern action had been taken against hoarders and black marketeers.

Intervening, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said it was wrong to say that government was indifferent to the issue.

"Whatever is possible to reduce the suffering of the common man has been initiated," he said.

C Divakaran (CPI), former Food Minister, who sought leave for the motion, charged the government with complete failure in checking price rise and said it was lack of co-ordination among various departments that has led to the present situation.

LDF members led by its leader V S Achuthanandan trooped out of the House after Speaker G Karthikeyan disallowed the leave for motion.