CPI opposes hike in bread, milk prices

NT NETWORK
Posted on 2008-11-02
PANAJI - The state council of Communist Party of India along with state committee of All-India Trade Union Congress has written a letter to the Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat conveying their opposition to the increase in prices of bread and milk by the bread producers and milk suppliers.Speaking to the media, the state CPI chief, Mr Christopher Fonseca said bread is essential food of the common man and felt a need to keep a check on its quality and quantity. He observed that bread producers should be provided fuel from the department of forest through PDS to stabilise bread prices.
While suggesting that all bread producers should be roped in by Food and Drug Administration, the CPI asked the government to take proactive measures to ensure that the milk and bread sold through various outlets and shops in the state are priced at notified rates.
Mr Fonseca, while condemning the apathy of the government, especially the civil supply department, towards the inordinate increase in the bread and milk prices, alleged that many shops and eateries have increased the prices without any notification in this respect.
Mr Fonseca said the government should decisively move in the matter and ensure that the common men in the state, especially the working class should not be affected with the increase and added that AITUC calls upon the people to oppose the inordinate and mindless price rise.
The pries of vegetables in the markets have skyrocketed, he said, elaborating, French beans are selling at an exorbitant rate of Rs 40 a kg while tomatoes are also being sold at Rs 40 a kg.
He said that there are thousands of workers in BSNL, IFB, Goa Shipyard, GMC and PWD and others who are either being underpaid or were being asked to pack-off.
Why government is not rolling back the increased oil prices when whole world is doing so, he asked and sought an explanation from the government and stated that a padayatra will be taken from one corner to the other corner of the state highlighting the price rise if the government fails to act on time.