Achuthanandan flays sugar decontrol

Criticising the partial decontrol of the sugar sector by the Centre, CPI(M) veteran V S Achuthanandan today alleged it was aimed at mobilising funds for the Congress-led UAP ahead of the Lok Sabha elections at the cost of common people.
"This is yet another attack on the common people by the UPA Government. The decision to decontrol sugar sector and end the levying of this essential item would lead to steep increase of sugar price in the open market as it would cease to be a subsidised article supplied through ration shop," the former Kerala chief minister said in a statement here.

He said it was meant to help the sugar mill owners and "mobilise election funds" by the UPA before the Lok Sabha polls.
Union Food Minister K V Thomas, who justified the measure, was talking like a spokesman of the sugar lobby, which would be able to determine the price of the commodity, he charged.
"This is as bad a decision as decontrolling of petrol price. It will grievously harm the common people in the country", he added.