Congress President Sonia Gandhi has personally spoken to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over the rise in prices of essential commodities, which she said was a matter of highest concern.
"Price rise of essential commodities continues to be a matter of highest concern to us," Gandhi said in the latest issue of party mouthpiece 'Congress
"I have personally spoken to the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister on the issue and they have assured me that the government will take every possible step to address the issue," she said.
Gandhi said the situation has been particularly exacerbated by the failure of the monsoons in various parts of the country.
She said, "the state governments will also have a vital role to play in ensuring access of essential commodities to the people at affordable prices".
Gandhi's statement has come close on the heels of the AICC targeting Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar for the price rise.
Only a few days ago, AICC General Secretary Janardan Dwivedi had asked the Central government to bring down the prices making it clear at the same time that the party was running a coalition government.
Dwivedi's statement apparently implied that Congress was putting the blame for the price rise at the door of Pawar, who is head of the NCP, an ally of the Congress.
Asked at the AICC briefing whether Congress would like to have the Agricultural ministry in its own quota of ministers as the party President has shown concern over price rise, party spokesman Shakeel Ahmed said, "it was the prerogative of the Prime Minister".
He said, "her (Gandhi's) concern is natural. The Central government is taking steps. People forget that the state governments have a role here and it has to act against the hoarders".
Referring to only two cases of hoarding recorded in Bihar so far, Ahmed said strict action was required on the part of the state governments. PTI
