By IANS,
New Delhi :In a veiled criticism of the party-led United Progressive Alliance government over rising prices of essential commodities, the Congress Friday said that the job of ministers was not only to point towards problems but to provide relief to people.
“The party is very much concerned over rise in prices of some essential commodities. The job of the government and ministers is not only to point out problems but to give relief to people,” Congress general secretary Janardhan Dwivedi said here.
His remarks came in response to questions about the rise in prices of daily use commodities and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar’s remarks that the country would continue to face sugar deficit for a year and the price of the commodity will remain firm during the period.
Dwivedi added that that his remarks were not directed at any particular minister. “It may be any minister. The solution of a problem should be found.”
He said the government should find ways to control prices. “The solution should be found in such a way that short-term and long-term policies are formulated to increase production and availability of essential commodities.”
He said the production of pulses and oilseeds witnessed an increase under the missions launched by Rajiv Gandhi government.
The Congress is facing the heat over price rise with its own workers pointing to the growing cost of living. The Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has already announced a nation-wide agitation against price rise.