Hike in petroleum prices lead to rise in food cost: Bengal govt

Says prices of essential items have risen due to hike in prices of LPG and diesel

The Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal today blamed the Centre for "huge" rise in prices of food items and other essentials, and claimed that hike in prices of petroleum products has lead to the situation. "It is central government's faulty policies which has led to huge rise in prices of food items and essentials," state Industries Minister Partha Chatterjee told newsmen here.

Reiterating Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's statement in the Assembly yesterday, he said "prices of essential items have risen due to hike in prices of LPG and diesel."

"Despite this, we are trying to deal with the situation and control prices of food items, farm produce and other essentials," Chatterjee, a senior minister in the Mamata Banerjee cabinet, said.

He also blamed the Centre for "giving away loans freely to the previous Left Front government in the state, leading to the state sliding to a huge debt burden of Rs 2 lakh crore." The minister said despite a very difficult fiscal situation owing to high debt servicing, the Chief Minister has yesterday announced a DA of 6 per cent to the state government employees.