Left to up pressure on price rise issue

Sensing an imminent rise in the prices of LPG and kerosene, the Left parties said they would renew their pressure on the ruling coalition to stop forward trading in foodgrains and prevent the dilution of the Essential Commodities Act to control the spiralling prices of essential commodities.

CPI(M) leaders Basudeb Acharia and Rupchand Pal told reporters here that there were "strong indications" that prices of kerosene and LPG would be raised after the conclusion of the ongoing monsoon session.

"No action has been taken in regard to the assurance given on the floor of the House by Finance Minister P Chidambaram on two occasions," Acharia said.

He said the CPI(M) had demanded checking the "dilutions" in the Essential Commodities Act and withdrawal of forward trading introduced by the previous NDA government. The CPI(M) leader also demanded a discussion on the 11th Plan Approach Paper, saying while there was no debate on the matter in Parliament, it was being discussed outside.

The CPI(M) also said there was no need to increase the salaries of MPs as it was currently "sufficient". The party backed Speaker Somnath Chatterjee's suggestion that an independent committee be set up to examine issues relating to salaries, allowances and facilities of parliamentarians.

"It is embarrassing that MPs make a demand (for a hike) themselves. It is not proper to increase our own salaries," the two MPs said. The Cabinet had last Friday approved raising of MPs' salaries from Rs 12,000 to Rs 16,000.