Date:18/07/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/07/18/stories/2006071814740400.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

CLP hits back at TDP on price rise

Special Correspondent

G. Muddukrishnama Naidu

HYDERABAD: The Congress Legislature Party has rebutted Telugu Desam Party's criticism that the Government has failed to check the steep hike in prices of essential commodities by attributing the rise in prices to the steep hike in prices of petroleum products, which was a result of the policies adopted by the TDP-supported NDA Government.

Addressing a press conference here on Monday, Congress MLA G. Muddukrishnama Naidu said the scrapping of the oil pool by the NDA Government and linking petro prices to international markets led to frequent rise in petroleum prices. This was in turn resulting in the rise in prices of essential commodities.

The TDP that extended a crucial support to NDA failed to secure clearances for irrigation projects while it had not secured any funds for the development of the State. All the TDP could secure was 54 lakh tonnes of rice under the Food For Work programme that helped only the TDP leaders and cadre.