Ahead of Budget, trade unions today pitched for a ban on futures trading in food items to tame the spiralling inflation and making stimulus packages for industry conditional on their employment plans.
In a joint memorandum of central trade unions in the pre-Budget consultation with the Finance Minister, the unions have also sought that big corporates and multi-nationals should not be allowed to enter retail trade and banking operations.
"All trade unions, in a single voice, have told that price rise must be contained. If you (the government) are serious to contain price rise then put complete ban on futures trading in commodities," Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) General Secretary Tapas Sen told reporters after the meeting.
Currently, futures trading is banned on rice and pulses like toor and urad.
The unions further said that while Income Tax exemption ceiling for the salaried person should be raised to Rs 3 lakh per annum, there should be no tax on fringe benefits like housing, medical and educational facilities.
Besides, they have also sought strengthening of the public distribution system (PDS).
"We have given the memorandum regarding price rise. Essential commodity prices should be contained and PDS should be developed," Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh President Girish Awasthi said.
According to official figures, food inflation for the week ended December 25 soared to year's high of 18.32 per cent on rising prices of onion, other vegetables and milk.
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