By IANS,
New Delhi : Worried over unabated inflation, the ruling Congress said Saturday it would discuss the fuel price hike proposal with its allies, even as it sought to pass on to state governments part of the blame for rising prices.
The Congress Working Committee (CWC), which discussed the inflation that has touched 8.1 percent, according to the latest official data, apparently was of the view that a decision on petroleum products’ price hike in the wake of steep increase in international crude oil prices should be discussed with its allies first.
“The Congress can’t take a decision on its own because it is the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government which is in power,” party general secretary Janardan Dwivedi told reporters, a clear indication that the hike will be delayed.
Admitting that the apex decision making body of the party discussed the current economic situation in detail, he said it was also the responsibility of the state governments to take adequate measures to contain prices of essential commodities.
Briefing the media after the three-and-half-hour meeting at party president Sonia Gandhi’s residence, Dwivedi said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh explained the international economic situation to the CWC, whose meeting was attended by 35 members.
He said inflation was an international phenomenon and there was “nothing to worry and that the Congress-led government has taken adequate steps to contain it.
“But it is also the responsibility of the state governments to take enough measures to control the price rise,” he said.