By IANS,
New Delhi : Checking rising prices was a top priority for the central government and steps were being taken to enact a food security law, Congress president Sonia Gandhi said Thursday.
Addressing a meeting of the Congress Parliamentary Party here, Gandhi said that both houses of parliament had adopted a resolution to contain inflation.
“While we are proud of our economic growth as indeed we should be, controlling price rise remains our top priority. Both houses have adopted a resolution to contain inflation,” she said, adding: “The prime minister has spoken of the need to bring about reforms in the management of our food economy.”
She said that the National Advisory Council had taken up the issue of food economy and steps were being taken to fulfil the party’s manifesto pledge on food security.
The Congress manifesto for the 2009 Lok Sabha polls had promised to enact a right to food law that guarantees access to sufficient food for all people, particularly the most vulnerable sections.
It also said that every family below the poverty line will be entitled by law to 25 kg rice and wheat per month at Rs.3 per kg.
Referring to the hike in prices of petroleum products in June, Gandhi said sometimes there was simply no other option. “Even so, a constant vigil has to be maintained. The cooperation of state governments is essential,” Gandhi said.