By IANS,
New Delhi : Expressing concern at rising prices, Congress president Sonia Gandhi said the prices of food items needed to be brought down further and the responsibility for doing so also lay with the states.
Addressing a meeting of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) here, Gandhi said it was also the duty of states to keep prices in check.
Looking at the rise of stock market indices and figures of investment flow in the country, it was not possible to estimate the problems faced by the common man, she said.
“The challenge is to bring down the rate of inflation. There has been a reduction in prices of food commodities. But these should be brought down further,” she said, adding it was an issue of special concern to her.
Referring to opposition ruled states, she said states have as much responsibilty to check prices as the central government.
“They (the states) claim credit for the central government schemes. But they are quick to blame the central government on the price rise,” Gandhi said.
She said it was the states’ responsibility to run the public distribution system (PDS) efficiently and take action against hoarders.
“It is the duty of every Congressman to put pressure on the state governments,” Gandhi said.